Written answers
Tuesday, 16 November 2010
Department of Health and Children
Mental Health Services
9:00 am
Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide details of the provision of mental health services for 16 and 17 year olds in north Dublin; if she will enhance adolescent mental health services in this region given that there is just one six-bed unit available for the provision of mental health services for 16 and 17 year olds for a region stretching from north Dublin to Cavan and Monaghan; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that 16 and 17 year olds in need of specialist emergency psychiatric care are spending days in the emergency department of Beaumont Hospital because there are no other facilities available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42583/10]
Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42802/10]
John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 191 together.
'A Vision for Change' - the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy - acknowledges gaps in the current provision of services for children and adolescents and makes several recommendations for the further improvement of such services. In these circumstances, I welcome the fact that the HSE has prioritised the development of mental health services for children and adolescents. In relation to the availability of dedicated in-patient beds for children and adolescents, the position is that during 2009 bed capacity almost doubled, bringing the total number of in-patient beds to 30. Capacity will further increase this year with the commissioning of two purpose built 20-bed units in Bessboro, Cork and Merlin Park, Galway, and plans are at an advanced stage for the development of a further 6 beds at St Vincent's, Fairview and 4 beds at Warrenstown.
In relation to the delivery of mental health services to 16-17 year olds, as this is a service matter, the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
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