Written Answers Nos. 354-370
354. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time per accident and emergency department, broken down by hospital in each of the years 2020 to 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56250/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.
355. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the level of funding allocated in Budget 2026 for perinatal mental health services; if new perinatal or mother-and-baby units are planned for development in 2026; if so, to list their locations and expected completion dates. [56259/25]
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.
356. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the funding which has been committed in Budget 2026 for integrating perinatal mental health supports within maternity hospitals, including staff training, screening, and referral pathways. [56260/25]
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.
357. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding which has been allocated in Budget 2026 to develop or expand ADHD assessment and treatment services for children, adolescents, and adults; and if this includes the creation of dedicated ADHD clinics or care pathways. [56261/25]
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.
358. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list figures for ADHD assessments by county; and the reduction targets or timelines being set under Budget 2026. [56262/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
359. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the current vacancy rates across mental health services, including CAMHS and perinatal teams; and the portion of the 2026 Budget which is directed toward recruitment and retention initiatives. [56263/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
360. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the provision in Budget 2026 for training and professional development of mental health staff, including postgraduate placements, specialist training (e.g. perinatal, ADHD, dual diagnosis), and continuous professional development supports. [56264/25]
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.
361. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the specific measures being implemented to retain staff in mental health services under Budget 2026, including financial incentives, flexible working arrangements, or wellbeing supports; and if her Department has a target for reducing turnover in 2026. [56265/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
362. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the number of children habitually resident in Ireland that have travelled to the United Kingdom for HSE-referred transgender-related healthcare since the start of 2020; the locations and names of the services to which they travelled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56268/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
363. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health to provide details on the training provided by the HSE from 2019 onwards to medical staff involved in carrying out late term abortions; if HSE medical staff have travelled abroad to receive such training since 2019; if so, to provide details of same, and the expense incurred; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56269/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
364. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the work of the HSE’s National Office for Human Rights and Equality Policy with respect to the drafting of terms of reference for use in developing national guidance on mixed sex accommodation in hospitals; to provide an update on the working group established to examine best practice in other jurisdictions, and any local policies that have been developed; the jurisdictions that have been examined by the working group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56270/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
365. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to outline the level of funding allocated in Budget 2026 to counselling and talking therapies within public mental health services; and to specify the breakdown between HSE-delivered, community-based and NGO-contracted counselling supports. [56271/25]
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.
366. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to provide current waiting times for counselling services under the HSE and its funded partners, by RHA area, and to indicate the reduction in targets being set for 2026. [56272/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
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.
368. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the amount of the 2026 mental health allocation that is set aside for youth and school-based counselling initiatives; and whether additional funding will be provided to agencies such as Jigsaw or the National Educational Psychological Service. [56274/25]
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.
369. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health to provide current vacancy rates for psychologists in public mental health services, broken down by RHA; and the measures being taken under Budget 2026 to fill these posts. [56275/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible. In relation to Budget 2026, 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.
370. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the provision that has been made in Budget 2026 for expanding postgraduate training places for clinical and counselling psychologists; and whether financial supports or bursaries are being introduced to address recruitment and retention challenges in the sector. [56276/25]
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.
