James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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53. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department has established a working group involving the HSE, the Department of Health and Tusla to co-ordinate a focus for the State's provision of mental health services for young persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43657/17]

Katherine Zappone (Dublin South West, Independent)
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I am happy to inform the Deputy that my Department is at present advancing this matter. I and my officials have met with Minister Daly and we are both agreed to review the co-ordination and provision of psychological supports between TUSLA and the HSE, including specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) provided by the HSE.

The work of this group will focus on identifying a clearer continuum of provision for such services, strengthening alignment and identifying gaps and areas for development. This work will, of course, be centred on the needs of children and young people.

It is critical that this group builds upon recent developments in this area, including, for example, the work of the Youth Mental Health Task Force and the Youth Mental Health Pathfinder Project led by the Department of Health.

It is also of the utmost importance that the insight and expertise which exists in the field of youth mental health, actively informs the process.

My officials, in collaboration with colleagues in the Department of Health, are currently identifying a date for the inaugural meeting of this group.

It is envisaged that this group will comprise the following:

- Representative of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs

- Representative of the Department of Health

- Representative of Health Service Executive

- Representative of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency

Additional input to the work of the group will be considered where appropriate. A draft Terms of Reference for the group has been shared with the key constituents and this will frame and direct the truly important work of this group.

I will be taking a direct and ongoing interest in the development – but more importantly the outputs and outcomes from this group – so as to ensure that we can further strengthen the coordination and alignment of mental health and related psychosocial supports for our young people.