As detailed in the HSE response of 8 July last to the Deputy, the HSE regularly meets with Jigsaw as part of their Service Level Agreement arrangement, where all relevant matters including any potential expansion of services are discussed. The HSE National Child and Youth Mental Health Office advised in July last that it had received no business cases or applications to establish a Jigsaw youth mental health service in Waterford over the past five years. As the HSE also indicated, Jigsaw submitted a Business Case to me in May 2025 to establish such a new service.
Improving access to a range of youth mental health services remains a priority for me, for the Department of Health, and for the HSE. I received a formal proposal from Jigsaw in May 2025 to establish a youth mental health service for Waterford and the South East. In addition, I invited around that time proposals from other relevant organisations nationally that might be interested in developing youth mental health services.
Work to secure a suitable premises for the proposed new service in Waterford has begun with the Chief Executive of Waterford City and County Council and I also discussed the need for the service with the local HSE Integrated Health Area Manager.
I am evaluating all of the options available to me, as Minister, on how best to enhance youth mental health care in Waterford and other areas of the country where this is required. I intend to secure funding for such new service developments under the on-going 2026 Estimates process. I am determined that young people in Waterford and the South East have improved access to youth mental health care overall and I will work with my Department and the HSE over coming months to achieve this.
In the context of the above, there is no contradiction of the nature suggested by the Deputy. I have referred this PQ to the HSE in relation to the detailed information sought on any proposals made at local HSE level.
