Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 June 2026
255. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she will provide ring-fenced funding and nationally coordinated oversight of the development of mental health intellectual disability services (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44427/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra256. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if she will provide for the creation of new allied health profession posts in mental health intellectual disability services in the upcoming Budget (details supplied); the steps she is taking to address the deficit in these posts; the steps she is taking to respond to the shortages in Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44428/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 255 and 256 together.
In 2021 the Model of Care for Mental Health Intellectual Disability was published by the HSE, to improve the mental health service experience and outcomes for people with an intellectual disability.
Approximately four in every ten people with intellectual disability can experience a mental illness in their lifetime, and under the Model of Care the HSE are working to roll out a national network of multi-disciplinary teams – 31 for adults, and 16 for children. Currently there are 20 Adult teams and 10 CAMHS-ID teams servicing 15 areas.
Under Budget 2026, I have allocated funding for two new Mental Health Intellectual Disabilities teams for children (CAMHS-ID teams), in addition to further posts to enhance some existing teams.
As you are aware , responsibility for the provision of health services, including mental health services has now been devolved to the relevant HSE Region which is HSE South West. However, as Minister I maintain an active role in engagement with the HSE to ensure that services are in place to meet peoples mental health needs.
The HSE have confirmed that Cork’s Adult Mental Health Intellectual Disability (MHID) service remains committed to delivering specialist care and support to adults with an intellectual disability who present with co-occurring mental health difficulties and complex clinical needs. Despite ongoing national workforce pressures, the service has achieved a number of important recruitment successes in recent years, including the appointment of two permanent Consultant Psychiatrists over the past four years, in addition to the recruitment of an Advanced Nurse Practitioner and a Clinical Nurse Specialist.
These appointments have strengthened medical and nursing leadership within the service and have supported the continuation of specialist care provision across Cork.
However, the HSE state that significant challenges remain in relation to the availability of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) within multidisciplinary teams . These workforce challenges are not unique to Cork and are being experienced across MHID services nationally.
Notwithstanding these constraints, the Cork MHID Service continues to deliver important positive clinical outcomes for a highly vulnerable cohort of service users. The service currently supports approximately 700 individuals and has worked successfully to promote evidence-based prescribing practices, including reducing or discontinuing medication where clinically appropriate, while ensuring robust physical health monitoring for those who require ongoing treatment.
Finally, in relation to future funding of posts for this Programme, as Minister this will be given consideration at the appropriate time later during the year at the Estimate process.
