Martin Kenny
Question:20. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health if she will provide funding for an emergency mental health unit for Sligo University Hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17289/26]
View answerThursday, 5 March 2026
Questions (20)
Written answers
I am overseeing the rollout of a range of alternative community supports for people experiencing a mental health crisis, providing options beyond attending an emergency department. At the same time, we are expanding specialist mental health nursing within emergency departments to ensure that, when people do present to hospital in distress, they receive a compassionate and effective response.
My focus on both community and hospital settings reflects a simple truth. We all acknowledge busy hospital emergency departments are not the best environment for someone in crisis, yet mental health presentations will always occur, and every setting must be equipped to respond appropriately.
This year, over €15 million is being invested to expand crisis supports and strengthen targeted suicide prevention initiatives.
As part of this, €2.8 million will support the development of new specialist crisis nursing teams, comprising Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists, who will operate out-of-hours in emergency departments to care for people presenting in acute distress. These teams will be implemented in Model 4 hospitals first, with rollout to Model 3 hospitals, including Sligo, planned in future Budgets.
Beyond hospital settings, I am providing an additional €5 million this year to enhance our network of Crisis Resolution Services and specialist mental health supports, including Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurses. Sligo already benefits from a highly effective Crisis Resolution Team and the Solace Café, both of which work closely with local services such as the Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry Team at Sligo Hospital and the Early Intervention in Psychosis team. Together, they help keep people safe and reduce the need for hospital attendance.
Recently, I visited a specialist assessment hub in Kerry that offers timely, one-stop mental health assessments for anyone seeking support. It is an excellent model that I believe should be available in every county. On the morning of my visit, the hub had received nine overnight referrals from the hospital and local GPs. By bringing all relevant professionals together in one location, waiting times for interventions were reduced from twelve weeks to just two. This is exactly the kind of innovative, person-centred practice I want to see expanded nationally, and I will be writing to IHA managers to invite them to consider the Kerry hub as a model for replication across the country.
Question No. 21 answered orally with Question No. 7.