William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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1031. To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taken to improve mental health services for young people in County Laois; the details of additional resources to be made available for mental health service delivery in 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63117/25]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The total allocation for mental health services in 2026 is over €1.5 billion, which is the sixth year in a row in which the mental health budget has been increased.

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; youth mental health and CAMHS, and expanding the National Clinical Programmes.

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 2025, including that for Mental Health.

With reference to specific service provision for mental health services in County Laois, as this is an operational issue , it has been forwarded to the HSE for direct reply to you.