Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 365: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the establishment of a new children's mental health coalition; if he will act on its recommendation that there should be a national framework for mental health assessment of children in detention, and at community level post release, including monitoring that the necessary follow-up services are delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3106/10]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 366: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the establishment of a new children's mental health coalition; if he will act on its recommendation to establish a diversion system for a child with a mental health problem away from the criminal justice system into specialised mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3107/10]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 365 and 366 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that policy for the care of children in the criminal justice system is outlined in the National Youth Justice Strategy 2008-2010, one of the actions of which states that the Department of Health and Children will work with the HSE to implement the recommendations of the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, to increase access to appropriate child and adolescent mental health services for children in the youth justice system.

Also, the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse Report Implementation Plan, commonly known as the Ryan Implementation Plan, states 'In conjunction with the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS), the HSE will develop a national specialist multidisciplinary team for children in special care and detention by July 2010'. I understand the HSE is currently working to progress this recommendation.

In relation to children in detention schools, I can advise the Deputy that each of the children detention schools provides access to specialist mental health assessments and appropriate treatment. Mental health care in the community is a matter for the HSE, however, the IYJS is working with the HSE to ensure that offending children with mental health issues are identified at the earliest opportunity and diverted from the criminal justice system where possible.

I wish to inform the Deputy that while officials in my Department are aware of the new children's mental health coalition, my office has not received any proposals from this group to date. Any proposals received in the future will be given due consideration.