Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has discussed with the Department of Health the introduction of a detailed code of practice on admission to and treatment of, as well as establishing an advocacy service for, children who have been admitted for mental health treatment, including a complaints facility for them; the date on which same will be introduced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19903/11]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I have met with my colleague Ms Kathleen Lynch TD Minister for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People and we have discussed a range of issues including children's mental health. The Mental Health Commission has issued a code of practice relating to the admission of children under the Mental Health Act 2001 which outlines arrangements and facilities that should be put in place to ensure the protection and safety of such children. The code provides that no child:

· under 16 years is to be admitted to an adult unit from 1st July 2009;

· under 17 years is to be admitted to an adult unit from 1st December 2010; and

· under 18 years is to be admitted to an adult unit from 1st December 2011.

If, in exceptional circumstances, the admission of a child to an adult unit occurs, the approved centre is obliged to submit a detailed report to the Commission outlining why the admission has taken place. The Commission reviews any such notifications received and follows up as deemed appropriate. It is accepted that it is inappropriate to admit young people to units providing care and treatment to adults, however such admissions are sometimes necessary for the safety and treatment of the child. In arriving at a decision to admit a young person to an adult unit, due consideration is given to the risks of not admitting him/her, and the potential adverse effects of such an admission.

The HSE has prioritised the development of mental health services for children and adolescents. Bed capacity for children and adolescents has increased from 12 beds in 2007 to 52 at present, and further developments are planned which will bring capacity to 66 by 2012.

A child should only be admitted as in-patient (to any psychiatric facility) as a last resort and should as far as possible receive the necessary treatment in the community – there are now 61 multidisciplinary Child and Adolescent Mental Health teams nationally and further teams will be developed. The new Government is committed to reforming our model of healthcare delivery so that more care is delivered in the community; access to modern mental health services in the community will therefore be significantly improved. It is proposed to ringfence €35m annually from within the health budget to develop community mental health teams and services to ensure early access to more appropriate services for both adults and children. It is envisaged that the provision of improved community based services, coupled with an increase in bed capacity, will put an end to the practice of placing children and adolescents in adult psychiatric facilities.