Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The HSE National Service Plan 2016 aims to improve placement of children in age appropriate mental health settings. A 95% target of appropriate placements in Child and Adolescent Units is indicated in the Plan, to allow for some operational flexibility surrounding emergency placements in Adult Units. While it remains challenging for the HSE to meet this ambitious target progress on this important area has been significant despite increasing demands generally on CAMHS service. This is underscored by the fact that there were 247 such admissions to adult units in 2008, and 95 admissions in 2015. It is a priority for the HSE to keep such admissions to a minimum, and this is kept under constant review.

I have prioritised developing all aspects of CAMHS, including timely access to appropriate services, early intervention and an integrated service approach. Additional resources and facilities means that we now have 67 CAMHS Teams, and 3 Paediatric Liaison Teams, supported by 66 operational CAMHS beds across the country. This includes the extra 8 CAMHS beds recently opened in the new Linn Dara Unit in Dublin, which is helping to decrease pressures on CAMHS admissions to adult units. Further CAMHS beds are scheduled to open in the system.

The HSE is committed to ensuring that all aspects of CAMHS services are delivered in a consistent and timely fashion, including improved access to age appropriate units. Last year, the Executive introduced a new Standard Operating Procedurefor both in-patient and community CAMHS services. This has contributed to improving services overall, including reducing inappropriate admissions of adolescents to adult units. It is designed also to reduce CAMHS Waiting Lists, particularly for those waiting over 12 months.

Bearing in mind all the circumstances, I am satisfied that the HSE is making real progress in relation to the issues raised by the Deputy, while taking account of the wishes of each young person, their parents or guardians, and the complexities of each case. In many instances, a multi-disciplinary or inter-agency approach is required. The Department will continue to closely monitor this issue, in conjunction with the HSE, to ensure that the various new initiatives now underway, will contribute to improving CAMHS services, including the rate of age appropriate admissions across all regions.