Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
1278. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to improve access to LGBTQ+-affirming mental health supports nationwide, particularly in relation to specific counselling supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37884/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra1279. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding currently allocated by her Department and the HSE towards LGBTQ+-specific mental health provision, counselling, psychological supports and early intervention services; the number of staff employed or funded specifically to support the mental health and psychological well-being of LGBTQ+ people, broken down by HSE health region; whether any assessment has been undertaken regarding regional gaps in service provision or unmet need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37885/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1278 and 1279 together.
I recognise that members of the LGBTQI+ community can face particular challenges in relation to mental health, and I am committed to ensuring that services are inclusive, accessible and responsive to their needs.
Presently, the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) funds 21 national NGOs, all providing mental health or suicide prevention supports at different levels or to specific targeted groups. In 2024, NOSP allocated over €8.3 million in funding to national organisations delivering these services.
There are three NOSP-funded national NGOs that provide services specifically for LGBTQI+ communities:
• LGBT Ireland, which received approximately €111,527, supporting training, a national helpline, peer supports, and mental health and suicide prevention initiatives;
• BeLonG To Youth Services, which received approximately €240,964, delivering national youth mental health programmes and supports for LGBT+ young people;
• Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI), which received approximately €79,964, providing advocacy, peer supports, and training to improve services for transgender individuals and their families.
In addition, many HSE-funded mainstream services support significant numbers of LGBTQI+ individuals, including Text About It, Jigsaw, Pieta and Samaritans, which provide crisis intervention and listening supports nationwide.
Samaritans provides a free, 24/7 listening service available to anyone in distress, including members of the LGBTQI+ community, and works in collaboration with a range of organisations, including LGBT Ireland.
In addition, Pieta works in partnership with BeLonG To to provide free targeted crisis counselling to LGBTQI+ young people who are self-harming, experiencing suicidal ideation or bereaved by suicide, alongside tailored education initiatives and engagement with LGBTQI+ communities, as set out in its 2024 Annual Report.
This year, at my request, the National Clinical Programme for Gender Healthcare is establishing bespoke counselling supports for gender questioning young people in partnership with Jigsaw. In addition, the National Clinical Programme for Gender Healthcare have agreed to fund additional counselling and family supports. Both initiatives have been agreed, funding is in place, and service provision should commence over the coming months.
The NOSP has also supported research into the mental health of LGBTQI+ communities, including the Being LGBTQI+ in Ireland (FINAL-Being-LGBTQI-in-Ireland-Full-Report.pdf - www.belongto.org/app/uploads/2024/04/FINAL-Being-LGBTQI-in-Ireland-Full-Report.pdf) study undertaken by Trinity College Dublin in partnership with BeLonG To, which highlights significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicidal behaviour among LGBTQI+ individuals compared to the general population.
These findings underscore the importance of ensuring that mental health services are inclusive, accessible and responsive to the needs of LGBTQI+ individuals. In this regard, I also welcome the Mental Health Commission's national guidance and training resources to support staff across mental health services in delivering inclusive, respectful and equitable care for LGBTQI+ service users.
The Government, and I, remain committed to a comprehensive, whole-of-system approach to suicide prevention and mental health, combining mainstream services with targeted supports and continuing to strengthen the inclusivity and effectiveness of services for all, including members of the LGBTQI+ community.
