Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the plans in place to increase the number of child and adolescent psychiatric beds in the short and medium term; the locations where these beds will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2729/08]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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The Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, entitled 'A Vision for Change', which was launched in January 2006 provides a framework for action to develop a modern, high quality mental health service over 7 to 10 years.

It makes a number of recommendations for the development of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services including the recruitment of 40 child and adolescent community mental health teams and the provision of four 20 bed units. A total of €11.2 million revenue funding has been provided to the HSE over 2006 and 2007 for the development of these services.

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. The Executive, therefore, 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 this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.