Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Health the number of the 150 posts promised for child and adolescent mental health services that have been put in place; the level of qualification that is being sought for these posts; and if these individuals will be properly qualified to deal with the issues of mental health, substance abuse and behavioural problems, which the recent child death review highlighted a particular need for. [33884/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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In Budget 2012, a special allocation of €35m for mental health was announced in line with our Programme for Government. Funding from this allocation will be used primarily to strengthen Community Mental Health Teams in both Adult and Children's mental health services which will ensure, at a minimum, that at least one of each mental health professional discipline is represented on every team. In the case of Child and Adolescent Teams these include Medical, Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Speech and Language Therapy and Child Care Worker. HSE approvals have issued to the four Regional Directors of Operations for the filling of the posts in their areas and the process of recruitment has commenced. These posts are for professionals who will have the relevant qualifications for the grade concerned. The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service provides services, where necessary and appropriate, to children and adolescents with a co-morbid mental illness and other issues such as those mentioned by the Deputy.