Mental Health Services
Seanad Éireann — 2026-06-24
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Mary Butler (FF), Waterford

I have the HSE's back on this. I will tell the Senator why. In budget 2026, I was able to fund 300 new posts. The difference between the mental health budget and the rest of the budget is that funding for those 300 posts is ring-fenced. I wrote to the six regional executive officers across the six regions to say I had secured this funding under the mental health budget. Three hundred whole-time equivalents is quite a significant number; it is the most I have got in the six years.
There were 15 posts for intellectual disabilities. Their funding is ring-fenced and recurring, and they have to be recruited. I have monthly meetings with the HSE and the Department to make sure this happens. I break my back to get as much funding as I can. I have increased the budget for mental health by 60% in the past six years. It is difficult when it comes to recruitment but I have not had push-back from any of the regional executive officers when they are told they have this ring-fenced funding to recruit. They can do more under their own budgets and we have seen that in areas.
I am aware, especially in relation children with intellectual disabilities, that we are trying to smooth the pathway for children. Whether they belong in a CAMHS team, a children's disability network team, CDNT, primary care psychology or the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, they are being pushed from Billy to Jack. I accept that 100%. That is an area we have a strong focus on. All that parents want, whether for an adult child or a younger child who is dependent on them, is for them to get the services. I will do more in next year's budget and I will make sure that those 15 posts are recruited this year. I thank the Senator for his advocacy.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-06-24/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:55:06+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-24