Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure complete recruitment of a specialist therapeutic team for children in special care and detention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8076/12]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Implementation plan, published in 2009 in response to the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (Ryan Implementation Plan), included a commitment to the establishment by the HSE in consultation with the Irish Youth Justice Service (IYJS) of a national therapeutic and multi-disciplinary care team for children in detention and special care. The specialist multi-disciplinary team could also provide an in-reach service to boys aged 16 and 17 years who are detained in St Patrick's Institution. It also states that the HSE will review need and establish resourced multi-disciplinary assessment teams for children and young people at risk.

Notwithstanding the financial constraints applying in 2012, I am pleased to advise the Deputy that it has been agreed that any posts previously funded under the Ryan Implementation Plan, and not yet filled, may be filled in 2012. This includes the establishment of the national therapeutic and multi-disciplinary care team for children in care and detention.

The HSE has committed in its National Service Plan for 2012 to completing the establishment of this team.

When fully in place this key national service will ensure all children placed in secure care, whether on welfare or offending grounds, will have access to specialist clinical interventions in line with their assessed individual needs. The HSE has been funded for this service, as part of the funding provided in respect of the Ryan Implementation Plan.