Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The HSE Service Plan for 2011 includes a commitment to the establishment of multi-disciplinary assessment services for children and young people at risk, and development of a multi-disciplinary team for children in care and detention (with Irish Youth Justice Service). The full year cost has been calculated at €3m and funding is provided from the service plan.

The Service Plan commitment arises from Action 12 of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse 2009 Implementation Plan, which states that the HSE will develop a national specialist multi-disciplinary team for children in detention and special care in consultation with the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS). In addition Action 15 states that the HSE will review need, and establish resourced multi-disciplinary assessment teams for children and young people at risk. A multi-disciplinary Working Group representing the HSE and the Irish Youth Justice Service was established in 2010 to progress implementation of the commitment. The Group reported in 2010.

The proposal of the Working Group recommends developing a four-pronged model comprising:

1. A national assessment and intervention service for children at risk.

2. On-site therapeutic services for high support and special care units.

3. On-site therapeutic services for children detention schools.

4. A parallel development of a forensic child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) for children and young people with significant mental health needs requiring more specialist input.

Recruitment of staff for the service has commenced with priority being given to the provision of psychological services. The HSE has committed to the recruitment of additional posts to the service in the coming months.