68 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health and Children the way it is proposed to protect the mental health budget from more severe cuts than the 1.5% announced; if a monitoring system will be put in place to ensure that money intended for mental health is not used elsewhere; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1541/11]

Special consideration was given to the mental health sector in Budget 2011 through a maximum reduction of 1.8% in the allocation for this sector. The relatively lower reduction, compared to other sectors of health, recognises that these services are provided to vulnerable groups. A prerequisite for the lower savings target is the prioritising of services while reforming and modernising models of delivery. The implementation of this measure will be monitored by my Department in the context of its monitoring of the HSE's Service Plan during 2011.

69 Deputy Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Health and Children the total number of child and adolescent psychiatric beds currently in place; her plans to develop a unit in Limerick as proposed in A Vision for Change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1550/11]

As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.