Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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648. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the case of a person (details supplied); if he has concerns that this case may reflect a wind-down in supports in other cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21772/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The case referred to by the Deputy appears to refer to the provision of Mental Health services for younger people. When A Vision for Change was published in 2006, there were 49 Child and Adolescent Community Mental Health (CAMH) Teams and 12 dedicated Acute In-Patient beds for children. Today, there are 58 Community based (CAMH) teams and 39 Acute In-Patient beds nationally. Increased bed capacity reflects an almost 50% decrease in admissions of children to adult units since 2008.

The core of mental health service delivery for children or adolescents is based on Community Mental Health Teams. In this regard, 150 additional posts were allocated to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Teams in 2012, and a further 80 posts were allocated for this specific service area in 2013. Such initiatives are underpinned by the special allocation of €70 million to develop mental health over this, and last, year and do not therefore reflect, in reality, a wind down of mental health provision overall. I understand that 109 of these posts have either been filled, or have a start date shortly, and that recruitment of the balance of the new posts remains a priority within the HSE. I will, obviously, continue to closely monitor implementation of this important initiative over coming months. In the circumstances, if the Deputy wishes me to pursue the case raised by him, perhaps he would furnish me with specific or relevant details, and I will then be in a position to follow this up with the Health Service Executive. Alternatively, he may wish to do so direct with the Executive, which has responsibilities for providing health and personal social services in individual cases.