David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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101. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for the full roll-out of early intervention in psychosis services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52302/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Model of Care for the National Clinical Programme in Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) is a joint initiative between the HSE and the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, and was launched in June 2019. The implementation of the EIP Model of Care is in line with Sharing the Vision. The EIP programme will ensure that people presenting with psychosis get rapid access to expert assessment and evidence based intervention including psychological interventions, family interventions, employment support, physical health support and medication.

Early Intervention in Psychosis is an evidence-based approach that can transform the experiences and outcomes of people facing psychosis. Investment in this vital clinical programme can help reduce admissions to hospital, reduce relapses, prevent long-term disability and support people to stay in education and/or employment.

Each year in Ireland an estimated 1,500 people develop psychotic disorder for the first time. Approximately 25 EIP services must be developed in Ireland to facilitate national implementation of this clinical programme, in line with Recommendation 52 of Sharing the Vision.

There are currently 5 EIP services in place across CHOs 1, 4, 6, and 8. All are at various stages of development and resourcing in terms of progressing the Model of Care. Three of these EIP services formed part of an external evaluation, the report of which was launched on 22 September 2022.

There is strong interest from clinicians to work on EIP teams and posts funded in 2022 are being progressed by each CHO. In some cases, backfilling of posts can take some time, resulting in gaps in teams. However, we continue to make positive progress in relation to recruitment for this important programme.