Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

787. To ask the Minister for Health the hours of operation for the new specialist nursing teams (ANP and CNS) in emergency departments of all model 4 hospitals, out-of-hours; and to confirm if it will stop operations at 2 am, seven days a week. [56736/25]

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

The total allocation for mental health services in 2026 is almost €1.6 billion, an increase in budget of over 50% since 2020.

This increase in funding for mental health services represents a significant investment which will enable continued policy implementation and service improvement in line with our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, and our national suicide and self-harm reduction strategy Connecting for Life, across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, through to specialist mental health services.

This year’s budget provided the opportunity to focus on investing in crisis support and suicide prevention in particular with new measures worth over €15m annually announced for 2026.

I have funded the establishment of new specialist mental health nursing teams to be based in the emergency departments of all Model 4 hospitals at a cost of €2.8m. These teams will comprise of Advanced Nursing Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists and it is intended they will operate during the peak out-of-hours footfall period from 6pm-2am. I intend to begin extending these teams to Model 3 hospitals in future budgets, and also extending their operating hours following evaluation of their performance.

In addition, I have also allocated additional funding to expand the roll out of Crisis Resolution Services comprising Crisis Resolution Teams and 'drop-in' Solace Cafes. All of the new Crisis Resolution Services have been allocated to areas with Model 3 hospitals; Donegal, Kerry and the Midlands. This investment of over €4m evidences my commitment to expanding alternative crisis care pathways to emergency departments. I have also allocated funding for addition Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurses to be recruited, funding for Traveller suicide prevention initiatives, and funding for community organisations including a substantial allocation to Pieta. Further, I have funded the recruitment of 19 specialist CAMHS doctors for emergency liaison and out-of-hours care.

As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2026, including that for Mental Health.