Update: Child Psychological Services, 4th August 2015

QUESTION NO:  139

DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Dr. James Reilly)
by Deputy Bernard J. Durkan
for WRITTEN ANSWER on 08/07/2015  

 
 *  To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which adequate child psychological services continue to be made available in line with requirements as already indicated or notified; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

                                                                         Bernard J. Durkan T.D.

 
REPLY.
Psychology services for children are currently being provided by arrangement with the HSE. Tusla and the HSE have in place both a Memorandum of Understanding and a Joint Protocol for inter-agency collaboration which underpins the provision of these services for children. The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding is to set out the partnership agreement between the HSE and Tusla to continue pre-establishment levels of service across both organisations. The objective of the Joint Protocol is to specify a pathway and associated responsibilities for children and families whose needs cross between Health Service Divisions and Tusla.

Tusla is also proposing to put in place a Service Level Agreement with the HSE to strengthen current arrangements.  The Service Level Agreement will determine the quantum of service needed to meet the Agency’s requirements.

Clinical psychology services are directly provided by Tusla within multi-disciplinary teams deployed by the Assessment, Consultation and Therapy Service (ACTS). Services provided include assessment and focused interventions for children and young people with complex clinical needs and high risk behaviours. They also provide support to other professionals in order to guide interventions to children and families.