Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

822. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on current waiting times for access to mental health support services, particularly in primary care and community settings; the measures being taken to reduce delays in access to counselling, CAMHS; and the additional resources that will be allocated in 2025 to improve mental health provision nationally, and in underserved areas such as east Galway. [32185/25]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is a priority for me, and for Government, to ensure that all those who need services can access them and access them on time. This is in line with our national mental health policy Sharing the Vision, our suicide reduction strategy Connecting for Life, and the HSE Annual Service Plan 2025.

Year-on-year funding for mental health services increased from €1.3 billion announced in Budget 2024 to almost €1.5 billion in 2025. This represents a 10.7% annual increase. CAMHS nationally receives approximately €167 million annually, with a further €110 million provided to NGOs which provide key mental health supports to young people and adults. Significant new development funding of €16 million for this year was provided for mental health under Budget 2025. This included, for example, an additional €2.9 million to support CAMHS to increase core staffing, develop a new CAMHS Emergency Liaison Service and expand CAMHS Hubs to improve crisis cover for services.

I established the National Office for Child and Youth Mental Health in the HSE to improve leadership and all aspects of care across youth mental health. The Office published its new Youth Mental Health Action Plan in February last. This ambitious plan for comprehensive reform across all youth mental health services, including the specialist CAMHS service, will deliver services which are safer, effective, easier to access and which offers appropriate support at all levels when needed.

I recently commenced a series of visits to all HSE Regional Health Areas to meet with the Regional Executive Officers and their staff to focus on improvements to all aspects of Youth Mental Health care, to identify areas where increased activity is needed, and also areas of innovative and positive service delivery. This includes improving access and reducing CAMHS waiting lists particularly for those waiting over 12 months. I have stressed also, the importance of filling all approved posts for each CAMHS team to ensure the effective delivery of services.

I will, in conjunction with the HSE, continue to keep improved access to care under close review for the remainder of this year.

The Deputy will appreciate that the provision of Primary Care Psychology Services falls under the HSE Primary Care Programme. I have referred this PQ to the HSE to reply direct to the Deputy in relation to the detailed information sought, including that relating to care provision nationally and service developments for east Galway.