Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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1130. To ask the Minister for Health if she will fund family liaison officers for mental health and addiction services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63728/25]

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 2026, including that for Mental Health.

In relation to the specific issue raised, I have also asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible with regard to existing supports.