Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 68: To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the distress and concern caused by the termination of the free psychiatric drugs scheme which covered the former Eastern Health Board area; if he will restore the scheme pending a review of such services statewide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32959/11]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Under the former Eastern Health Board, it was the practice to provide psychiatric medicines free to all patients who attended an outpatient clinic for services regardless of their eligibility status. Such arrangements were unique to the greater Dublin area. In all other former Health Board Areas, patients used either their medical card or Drug Payment Scheme card to access psychiatric medicines.

In 2009, the HSE decided to bring the arrangements for the supply of medicines to patients attending mental health outpatient clinics in the greater Dublin area into line with those operating in the rest of the country. These changes were introduced on a phased basis, starting on 1 October 2010 when medical card holders in the HSE Dublin North East area requiring psychiatric medicines were referred to their own GP for a GMS prescription. This arrangement is being extended to the Dublin Mid Leinster area from 1 November 2011. At the same time, Drug Payment Scheme cardholders will be required to pay for their prescription up to the co-payment threshold of €120 per month. Medical card holders will continue to receive their medication free of charge, subject to any applicable prescription charge. These arrangements will be kept under review.

People affected by these changes who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the Health Service Executive will take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family, including the cost of medication.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 69: To ask the Minister for Health the progress, if any, that has been made on the programme for Government commitment to develop a national Alzheimer's and other dementias strategy by 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33024/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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As the Deputy is aware, a commitment was given in the Programme for Government to develop a national Alzheimer's and other dementia strategy by 2013.

As I have indicated previously, my Department has started the process of developing a policy on dementia that will support the delivery of long-term care services having regard to future demographic trends and the consequential increase in demand for long-term care. This policy will be developed on the basis of the best evidence available from national and international sources.

Officials in my Department have engaged with relevant stake-holder groups on the first stage of the process which is to assemble the research and evidence upon which the policy will be developed. I expect this will be received shortly, at which stage work on the policy will commence formally.

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Health the amount of money spent by the State in 2010 on child and adolescent mental health services; the amount of money spent to date in 2011 by the State on child and adolescent mental health services; and if he will provide a breakdown of this money for both years. [32968/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The HSE provides a range of services across primary care, specialist child and adolescent mental health services, health promotion and suicide prevention services which support young people's mental health. As the HSE's financial accountability structure is across HSE areas and hospitals and not by care group, it is not possible to identify a specific figure for services which support young people's mental health.