James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 616: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the details of the revised programme for Government commitment to reduce waiting times for child and adolescent services; the timelines and targets in regard to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39122/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

One of the key priorities for mental health in the Revised Programme for Government is to reduce waiting times for child and adolescent services. On 9th October last, the HSE launched the first annual report on the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) which provides a comprehensive picture of the stage of development of CAMHS services. The HSE now has comprehensive information from which to monitor the mental health of children and adolescents and this will inform the development of services which respond to their needs.

The Report indicates that the waiting list for child and adolescent services has declined by 13.6% (492 cases) to 3,117 since 2007. Almost 46% of new cases referred to the service were seen within four weeks of being referred and 67.4% were seen within 13 weeks, which is the widely accepted norm for waiting times. The Department of Health and Children will be engaging with the HSE to further reduce waiting times and targets will be agreed in the context of the preparation of the Service Plan for 2010. Additional CAMHS teams have been established following the appointment of 7 additional Consultant Child Psychiatrists and a further 36 multidisciplinary team members will be appointed to these new teams in the coming months. Funding was also provided in Budget 2009 for the provision of 35 additional therapy posts for the CAMHS, and these posts are currently at the recruitment stage.