Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

I thank both Deputies for raising this really important issue today. I recently met Comhairle na nÓg to update the group on my efforts to establish a new youth mental health service for Waterford and the south east. I will give a big shout-out to Theo Hannigan, Mollie Mernagh and Eve Meleady, the three amazing young people who presented me with a petition with a lot of signatures. They are great young people and great ambassadors for their three schools: St. Paul's Community College, the Friary in Dungarvan and my own alma mater, St. Declan's Community College in Kilmacthomas.

Improving access to a range of youth mental health services is a priority for me, for the Department of Health and for the HSE. In recent weeks, I received a formal proposal from Jigsaw to establish a youth mental health service for Waterford and the south east. It is important to point out that Jigsaw changed its model of care in 2022, during the Covid pandemic. Its services to support young people now have 73% coverage across the country but 100% is covered online. I meet Dr. Joseph Duffy and his team regularly. Last year, we discussed moving back towards more physical structures but they are costly.

I have also invited proposals from other relevant national organisations that might be interested in developing youth mental health services. For example, there is a fantastic service under Mental Health Ireland called Mindspace Mayo that provides very similar supports. Work to secure a suitable premises for this service has begun with the chief executive of Waterford City and County Council, whom I thank for his interactions with me. I have discussed the need for the service with the local HSE integrated health area manager, who is very supportive. I am evaluating all the options available to me as Minister of State as to how best to provide a youth mental health service in Waterford and other identified areas of the country where a service has yet to be established, such as Kildare, Clare, Cavan and Monaghan. I intend to secure funding for this new early intervention youth mental health service in the Estimates process for budget 2026.

While CAMHS provides specialist supports for children, I am acutely aware that counselling supports are very important for young people, who deal with a lot of different issues including exam stress, anxiety, bullying and social media. The list is endless for many young people, especially for those young people in the LGBT+ community. Supports are vital. Young trans people can feel very isolated, alone and misunderstood. They face a great many challenges because they walk a different pathway in life. Counselling supports are vital. I want to compliment the great work of BeLonG To and ChillOUT, which are based at the Manor Youth Café in Waterford city every Sunday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The programme for Government commits to ensuring a transgender healthcare service that is based on clinical evidence, respect, inclusiveness and compassion. I was happy to write that into the programme. I know the trans community very well. I am very proud to be the mother of a young trans man. I hope and pray that all Deputies can support this. I do not think it is too much to ask.

Foróige also has to be commended on the fantastic supports it provides to young people based in Ferrybank, Tramore, Portlaw and Carrick-on-Suir, all of which enhance the life chances of ten- to 18-year-olds. They are all really important supports. I will come back in with regard to other funding I am providing this year.

See this speech in context