QUESTION NO: 199 addressed to the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Ms. Wallace) for WRITTEN ANSWER on 10/07/2008

* To ask the Minister for Health and Children if research has been completed by her Department regarding the development of strategies to work with pre-adolescents at risk of substance abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. – David Stanton T.D.

REPLY.

Work with pre-adolescents in relation to substance abuse is addressed through the Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme, in primary and second level schools . Through SPHE ,children can develop a framework of values, attitudes, understanding and skills that will inform their decisions and actions both now and in the future to enhance their health and well-being.

Support for the programme at primary level is provided through the Primary Curriculum Support Programme (PCSP). At post primary level the SPHE Support Service (Post Primary) works as a partnership between my Department, the Department of Education and Science and the HSE to support teachers and schools through on-going in-service training and support. Similar initiatives are underway in the non-formal education setting through partnerships with the key agencies.

Following a recommendation in the National Drugs Strategy 2000-2008, all schools have been offered guidance and support in developing a Substance Use policy setting out, in writing, the framework within which the whole school community manages issues relating to substance use. It should reflect the unique ethos of the school and should aim to develop a shared understanding. Each policy should cover the core components; education concerning substance use, management of incidents and provision for training and staff development.

QUESTION NOS: 195 to 198 addressed to the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. Moloney) for WRITTEN ANSWER on 10/07/2008

* To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of hospital beds in each Health Service Executive area dedicated exclusively to adolescents with mental health problems, in particular young people aged 16 to 18 years; the locations of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. – David Stanton

For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 10th July, 2008.

* To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 257 of 30 May, 2006, the number of child and adolescent psychiatrists employed by the Health Service Executive; the location of same; the number of those who are working full time in the public sector; the composition of the back up teams available to each psychiatrist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. – David Stanton

For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 10th July, 2008.

* To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to Parliamentary Question No. 257 of 5 May, 2006, the number of child and adolescent psychiatrists in each Health Service Executive area in 2005, 2006, 2007 and to date in 2008; her plans to increase same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. – David Stanton

For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 10th July, 2008.

* To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of children and adolescents awaiting psychiatric assessment in each Health Service Executive area; the number of those who are aged 16 to 18 years; the number who have been assessed and are awaiting services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. – David Stanton

For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 10th July, 2008.

REPLY.

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive, therefore, is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

QUESTION NO: 194 addressed to the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Ms. Wallace) for WRITTEN ANSWER on 10/07/2008

* To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has examined the issue of providing accommodation for young people under 18 years who have completed residential alcohol or substance abuse treatment centres and are homeless or living in difficult family situations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. – David Stanton

REPLY.

The Deputy’s question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsiblity of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

QUESTION NO: 193 addressed to the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Ms. Wallace) for WRITTEN ANSWER on 10/07/2008

* To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of in-patient medically managed alcohol and drug detoxification services available to patients under 18 years of age; the locations of same and the number of beds; the form of after care services for young people under 18 years of age once detoxification has been completed; the locations where these services are available; her plans to increase these services available to young people under 18 in different locations here; and if she will make a statement on the matter.- David Stanton T.D.

REPLY.

The Deputy’s question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.