A significant €31 million capital investment for mental health in 2025 was announced by Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler in April.
This is the largest ever one-year allocation for mental health infrastructure and forms part of the Government’s broader commitment to delivering modern, fit-for-purpose mental health facilities. It will also ensure the development of facilities so that patients can access high-quality services in communities across Ireland.
Minister Butler said, “This €31 million investment reaffirms our commitment to delivering improved mental health services in line with Sharing the Vision, our national mental health policy. This is the biggest ever investment in mental health infrastructure in a single year. I am confident that our ongoing investment will allow us to continue to upgrade and develop new vital infrastructure, which in turn will ensure people experiencing mental ill-health can access services in safe, therapeutic and recovery-focused environments.”
The Department of Health said that a range of projects in acute mental health, community services and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and specialist services such as Eating Disorders, were being progressed in 2025. These included:
- Major redevelopment of Adult Acute and Psychiatry of Later Life Units across the country.
- Continued progress on facilities for CAMHS and community mental health services, within the provision of Primary Care Centres.
- Ensuring the new Specialist Eating Disorders Hub at Mount Carmel Hospital in Dublin is commissioned and begins service.
- Beginning the necessary feasibility and preparatory studies for Ireland’s first Mother & Baby Perinatal Mental Health Unit to be co-located with the new National Maternity Hospital.
