Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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88. To ask the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself that the closure of 11 beds at Linn Dara CAMHS will mean that children and adolescents in need of these services will receive the care needed; if this closure is in line with the government commitment to implement vision for change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27901/17]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Health, and myself, have maintained close contact with the HSE in a attempt to maxamise CAMHS service provision in the Linn Dara unit. Minister McEntee has met the HSE specifically about this, and visited Linn Dara . The HSE has confirmed that no young person will be discharged from Linn Dara, unless this is deemed clinically appropriate by their mental health team. It should be clearly understood also, that nobody is discharged simply to close a bed.

Due to staff shortages, for a variety of reasons , some beds cannot be refilled. This, unfortunately, has left Linn Dara with just half of its 22 bed complement operational. The HSE has indicated that, for those discharged for clinical reasons, dedicated follow-on supports from the community-based CAMHS service will be provided, if deemed necessary. The Executive will also make available the CAMHS Day Service, as appropriate in individual cases, to enhance supports for young people and their families. The core issue facing Linn Dara relates specifically to staff recruitment and retention difficulties for mental health professionals. This, unfortunately, reflects wider health system issues. The problem in this case does not relate to funding availability. Staffing cover has been augmented in recent times through methods such as staff working additional hours, overtime and engaging agency staff.

The HSE are exploring every option to maximise the operation of this service in the future. The Executive is intensifying its efforts on recruitment, and while a number of staff have been identified to join the Linn Dara service in the near future, this will take time. The Deputy may rest assured that all efforts will continue to be made to address on-going service difficulties at Linn Dara.

'A Vision for Change' came to the end of its 10-year term in 2016. The increased investment in mental health services over the last number of years has helped to facilitate an increase in the number and staffing levels of both Adult, and Children & Adolescent Community Mental Health Teams. Of the additional 1,550 new mental health posts approved since 2012, some 1,150 have been, or are in the process of being, recruited.

Increased investment has also funded the development of specialist services recommended in A Vision for Change, including Forensic, Eating Disorders, Psychiatry of Later Life, and Mental Health Intellectual Disability services. There has also been continued development of community mental health teams, improved 7-day responses and liaison services, Peri-natal Mental Health and two new clinical programmes – specifically for ADHD in Adults and Children, and for Dual Diagnosis of those with Mental Illness and Substance Misuse.