Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 November 2025
358. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total funding allocated to student mental health supports in 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66503/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below reflects funding allocated to student mental health in Higher Education, this is in addition to funding supports provided through core funding, for the years that the Deputy requested.
|
Year |
Total |
|
2023 |
€5m |
|
2024 |
€6m |
|
2025 |
€5m |
It is also worth noting that as part of Budget 2026 I have secured an extra €1m for Mental Health supports in Higher Education which brings the core ring-fenced fund to €6m for 2026.
Using this core Mental Health funding the?Department has progressed a number of initiatives, in partnership with the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), over the last few years to address the broad spectrum of mental health and well-being issues faced by students, including:
• Mental Health and Well-being funding supports
• Healthy Campus Charter and Framework
• Student and Learner Wellbeing and Engagement Working Group
• National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework
At Further Education level (FET) ,the Framework for Further Education and Training: Mental Health and Wellbeing, developed by Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) in 2023, provides guidance for Education and Training Board (ETB) staff on supporting learners’ overall well-being and responding to mental health critical incidents in a consistent, planned, and structured manner. Additional staff development resources are available on the ETBI website.
