Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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48. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for specific measures to reduce the waiting list for child and adolescent mental health services across the country, which, according to the Irish Hospital Consultants Association, has increased by 24% in a three- to six-month time period; the measures his Department is taking in this regard in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36267/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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This Government is committed to ensuring that all aspects of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are delivered in a consistent and timely fashion across the country. To this end, the HSE recently introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure for both in-patient and community CAMHS services.

In March last, I asked the HSE to undertake a detailed validation of CAMHS Waiting Lists. This process, which is monitored regularly and in consultation with the HSE, was designed to minimise inappropriate referrals and waiting times, and in particular to reduce the numbers waiting over 12 months. In this context, the total number of children and adolescents waiting to be seen continues to fall month on month, with a decrease from 2,542 in July to 2,240 in August. The numbers waiting less than 3 months have fallen from 1,045 to 781. There has also been good progress on those waiting over 12 months, which has fallen from 300 in July to 241 (a reduction of 59, this also represents a reduction of 218 on the April figure). There has been a small decrease in the numbers waiting over 3 months from 1,497 in July to 1,459 in August, while bearing in mind that there has been a continued increase overall in demand for CAMHS services over this year.

The position I have outlined above relates to the national approach on CAMHS. In relation to measures which the HSE has put in place in Wexford, as this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.