Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there are only 22 child and adolescent mental health beds here when there were at least 200 children admitted to adult psychiatric facilities during 2007; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23970/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 102: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the eight interim child and adolescent beds in St. Stephen's Hospital, County Cork will be commissioned. [23971/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of child and adolescent community mental health teams here. [23977/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 101, 102 and 106 together.

The HSE has prioritised the development of child and adolescent mental health services in 2009. At present there are 55 Child and Adolescent Mental Health teams in place throughout the country. An additional 8 consultant led child psychiatry teams to further support the provision of child and adolescent psychiatric services will be developed this year. In addition, funding was provided in Budget 2009 for the provision of 35 additional therapy posts for the child and adolescent mental health service. This will enable the HSE to increase the number of Community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Teams to 69 by the end of 2009.

With regard to in-patient capacity in the child and adolescent mental health service, there are currently 22 child and adolescent beds in the country, 10 in Galway and 12 in Dublin (6 in St. Vincent's Fairview, 6 in Warrenstown). An additional 8 interim beds in St. Stephen's Hospital, Cork have recently been completed and it is anticipated that these beds will be commissioned shortly. Construction has commenced on two 20 bed units in Bessboro, Cork and Merlin Park, Galway. Construction is scheduled to be completed on both of these developments in late 2009 and the beds commissioned in 2010. The inappropriateness of admitting children to units providing care and treatment to adults is recognised but in the absence of an alternative, such admissions are sometimes necessary for the safety and treatment of the young person. The Mental Health Commission has issued a code of practice relating to the admission of children under the Mental Health Act 2001 which outlines interim arrangements and facilities that should be put in place to ensure the protection and safety of such children.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 103: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of people who have availed of the Health Service Executive national counselling service during each year since its inception. [23972/09]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.