33 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the lack of funding available to the South Eastern Health Board to provide counsellors for children in need; and if his attention has further been drawn to a case (details supplied) in County Waterford where there was a serious delay in providing counselling. [12528/02]

I have had inquiries made of the South Eastern Health Board and I understand that the public health nurse made contact with the maternal grandfather to offer support and assistance. The social worker planned a home visit for the afternoon of 21 March 2002. The social worker did make contact with the family that morning, however, as she failed to establish contact in the afternoon, the proposed visit did not take place. The senior psychologist was contacted and the family was referred for counselling. The family attended their first appointment on 4 April 2002. Further sessions are available to the family at their request.

I am informed that the board does have vacancies in this area but the board are satisfied that the lack of counselling staff was not an issue in this particular case.