Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 October 2025
367. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health whether Budget 2026 includes increased funding for the HSE’s counselling in primary care service; and if so, to state the expected number of additional service users that will be supported in 2026. [56273/25]
View answerThe total allocation for mental health services in 2026 is almost €1.6bn, which is the sixth year in a row in which the mental health budget has been increased. An additional 300 WTE staff will be allocated to mental health services in 2026, representing 9% of the total growth in health service staffing next year.
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 and HSE Capital Plan 2026, including that for Mental Health.
