Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 810: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a clinic (details supplied) which undertakes psychological assessments of children, wrote in November 2006 asking parents if they would still like their child to be seen, confirming that there is a waiting time of about three years from the time of receiving a referral and stating that they have no control over this situation; if she will immediately increase the allocation of funds and personnel to the clinic in order to reduce the waiting time; if this cannot be done the immediate action she will take to pay for private psychological and psychoeducational assessments having regard to the importance of early intervention in a child's educational and career life; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2070/07]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, entitled 'A Vision for Change', was launched in January 2006. It provides a framework for action to develop a modern, high quality mental health service over the next 7 to 10 years. In 2006, a sum of €26.2 million was allocated for the development of mental health services in line with 'A Vision for Change'. A further sum of €25 million has been allocated in 2007 to continue this development. This additional funding included provision in 2006 for the development of eight additional child and adolescent multidisciplinary mental health teams and in 2007 for a further eight teams to be developed.

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive is, therefore, the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.