Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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118. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which child psychiatric services remain adequate to meet modern challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15225/16]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The additional ring-fenced mental health funding of €160 million provided over 2012-16 inclusive, has contributed significantly to the implemention ofA Vision for Change. Implementation of this policy takes place in the context of annual HSE Service Plans, in line with service priorities and resource availability. Funding for mental health in 2016 will increase from the 2015 outturn of €785m, to a projected budget of €826m in the 2016 National Service Plan, an increase of €41m or 5.2%, including €35m ring-fenced for new developments this year.

All aspects of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services are being developed, A Vision For Changerecommends 80 additional child and adolescent psychiatric inpatient beds nationally. The HSE Operational Plan for Mental Health 2016 indicates that there are 76 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service beds in the system, of which 66 are operational at present. As recruitment issues are addressed, the potential exists to further increase bed capacity.

The HSE National Service Plan objective for this year aims for 78% or greater of accepted referrals to Child and Adolescent Community Mental Health Teams to be seen within three months. A priority target is to address the needs of those waiting over 12 months, while maintaining targets for first appointments and seeing individuals within three months. In addition, the Executive aims to improve the delivery of services in a more consistent and transparent manner, reflecting the identified clinical needs of the child. Additional resources and facilities mean that we now have 67 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Teams, and 3 Paediatric Liaison Teams, with further teams planned.

Other initiatives being progressed include the new Jigsaw mental health services in Cork, Dublin and Limerick; new early intervention counselling services for under 18s via Primary Care; improved 24/7 response and Liaison Services; improved Perinatal Mental Health, and two new mental health Clinical Programmes, specifically relating ADHD in Adults and Children, and Dual Diagnosis of those with Mental Illness and Substance Misuse.

In light of the Government's additional funding allocation for mental health in 2016, I am satisfied that the HSE is committed to further improving its child psychiatric services.