Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number and location of beds dedicated to the child and adolescent psychiatric services; when plans will be implemented to increase the number of such beds; her views on waiting times of 20 months and more for access to the child and adolescent mental health community services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23999/07]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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'A Vision for Change' — the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, was launched on 24th 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' and a further sum of €25 million has been allocated in 2007 to continue this development. A significant proportion of this year's funding — €7.95m — is for the development of child and adolescent psychiatric services. It is anticipated that this funding will bring about significant improvements in community, hospital-based and early intervention services. Existing multidisciplinary teams will be enhanced and new child and adolescent mental health teams developed. The provision of additional teams will reduce waiting times for assessment and treatment.

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. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter 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.