Health Services
Seanad Éireann — 2026-03-18
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Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (FF), Carlow-Kilkenny

I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. ADHD has long been recognised as one of the most common psychiatric disorders in children and it is now known to persist into adulthood. Core symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. It can cause many issues in areas such as personal and social relations, education and occupation, managing money and organising life in general, and there is also an increased risk of having other mental health difficulties with it such as anxiety and depression.
Prior to the beginning of the national clinical programme, NCP, for adults with ADHD, which the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, launched in 2021, there were no specific ADHD public services available for adults in Ireland, but the national clinical programme for adults is now delivered as part of HSE mental health services to ensure an integrated person-centred response to adults with ADHD.
The programme includes both assessment and treatment of ADHD and works with relevant voluntary agencies. It envisages a national service of ADHD teams, with each team comprising a consultant psychiatrist, a senior psychologist, a senior occupational therapist, a clinical nurse specialist mental health and an administrator.
Adult ADHD teams have been substantially rolled out across the country, with eight teams now operational and the final three teams in recruitment, following the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, allocating funding in 2025 for the remaining teams to achieve this full national roll-out.
In County Laois, adult services are provided by the midlands, Kildare and west Wicklow team, known as Solas adult ADHD tertiary services. The team is based in St. Fintan's campus, Portlaoise. The team provides assessment and multidisciplinary interventions, including medication, psychological and other supports to adults presenting with diagnosed or suspected moderate or severe ADHD.
Outside of the team-based services, the national clinical programme has also worked to develop supports in collaboration with ADHD Ireland to improve awareness and promote early management of ADHD. These non-clinical resources include an app, which was developed by UCD, to offer evidence-based information, lifestyle strategies and signposting for adults with or exploring ADHD. There is also the UMAAP programme, which is a six-week programme run by ADHD Ireland that has proven highly beneficial and effective for adults who have completed it. I understand this is working very well.
These resources are not a substitute for a diagnosis or clinical care, but they represent a vital entry point for individuals seeking support. The final ADHD teams will be operational later this year, and there will be full national coverage of these services. This has been supported by the dedicated annual funding of over €5 million since 2021.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-03-18/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:44+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-18