Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 111: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the statement by the Joint Committee on Health and Children that the provision of mental health services for adolescents is high on aspiration but low on action; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35537/06]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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"A Vision for Change", the report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy acknowledged the need for increased in-patient beds and for improved resources to care for 16 to 18 year olds who can fall between child and adult services, and may not receive care appropriate to their particular needs.

It is recognised that dedicated adolescent mental health services are required. "A Vision for Change" makes a number of recommendations for the improvement of mental health services for adolescents. I have appointed a Monitoring Group to monitor and assess progress on the implementation of all the recommendations in "A Vision for Change".

The implementation of the report's recommendations, including those relating to mental health services for adolescents, are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.