324 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps she will take to erase the waiting list for children to be seen by the child guidance clinic of the Mater Hospital, in view of the fact that priority cases are currently waiting for over one year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6152/07]

The Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, "A Vision for Change", was launched in January 2006. It provides a framework for action to develop a modern, high quality mental health service over the next 7 to 10 years.

In 2006, a sum of €26.2 million was allocated for the development of mental health services in line with "A Vision for Change". A further sum of €25 million has been allocated in 2007 to continue this development. A significant amount of this year's funding, €7.95 million, is for the development of child and adolescent psychiatric services. This funding will bring about significant improvements in community, hospital-based and early intervention services. Existing multi-disciplinary teams will be enhanced and new child and adolescent mental health teams developed.

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 is, therefore, the appropriate body to consider the particular matter 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.