Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding mental health issues [15849/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The increase in bed capacity reflects an almost 50% decrease in admissions of children to adult units since 2008. An additional 22 beds are scheduled to come on stream in 2013 (8 in Cork and 14 in Dublin - giving a projected Child and Adolescent capacity of 66 beds by the end of 2013). Planning permission has been granted to construct a 24 bed in-patient facility at Cherry Orchard, Dublin, which will incorporate some existing beds and increase capacity to 76 beds. This project is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2013 / early 2014, with an expected opening date of 2015.

The core unit of mental health service delivery for children and adolescents is the Community Mental Health Team. In this regard, 150 additional posts were allocated to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Teams in 2012 and a further 80 posts have been identified for allocation to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in 2013 from the investment of €35m in mental health in each of those years.

As the specific issue raised by the Deputy relates to a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply in respect of the detailed information sought.