Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the extra beds planned for 2009 for child and adolescent psychiatry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20470/09]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 42: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if it is planned to provide extra beds in 2009 for young people with eating disorders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20471/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 42 together.

Children with eating disorders are managed by the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service on a community basis, and where necessary, are admitted to child and adolescent mental health facilities. An additional 18 beds will be provided for the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Service in 2009, bringing the total capacity to 30 beds. Ten of these beds have already opened, four in St Anne's, Galway and six in St Vincent's, Fairview. A further eight beds will be opened shortly in St Stephen's, Cork.

Construction has now commenced on two 20 bed units in Bessboro, Cork and Merlin Park, Galway. It is anticipated that construction will be completed on both developments in late 2009 and the beds commissioned in 2010.