Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 255: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the studies carried out by her Department on the level of ADHD here; the most common medicines administered for this condition; the cost involved; if her attention has been drawn to the recent research in the US (details supplied) which questions the beneficial affect of medication for treatment of ADHD; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33813/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The development of services for the management and treatment of Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) was considered by the Working Group on Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services which reported in 2001. All aspects of the presentation, diagnosis, treatment and management of children suffering from ADD/ADHD were considered by the Working Group in the course of its deliberations. In its report, the Group recommended the enhancement and expansion of the overall child and adolescent psychiatric services as the most effective means of providing the required service for children with ADD/ADHD.

The future direction and delivery of all aspects of our mental health services, including services for children and adults with ADD/ADHD, was considered in the context of the work of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy. The report of that group "A Vision for Change" was published in January 2006 and contains wide-ranging recommendations for the further development of mental health services for both children and adults. The Government has accepted the Report as the basis for the future development of mental health services.

I am not aware of the particular research referred to by the Deputy. However I am satisfied that the evidence base is extremely robust for the use of medication in the management of ADD/ADHD. Many studies have demonstrated significant improvements arising from the use of medication in this disorder and, while the Department keeps under review any new research, single studies would be considered in the context of the overall evidence base for this or any other 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 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive, therefore, is the appropriate body to consider the question raised by the Deputy in relation to the most common medicines administered for ADHD and the costs involved. 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.