HSE funds for mental health, drugs, and sexual assault services 

The HSE National Service Plan says that €600,000 is being provided this year for the expansion of dual diagnosis services for young people with addiction and mental health issues, with a further €400,000 in 2025. Picture: RollingNews.ie

Funding of €2.7m is set to go on extra staffing in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (Camhs) this year, according to the HSE National Service Plan 2024.

It indicates that an additional €7.5m will go on staffing in Camhs in 2025.

The plan says that €600,000 is being provided this year for the expansion of dual diagnosis services for young people with addiction and mental health issues, with a further €400,000 in 2025.

It says that support measures for people in recovery for drug addiction will receive an extra €800,000 in 2024, but no additional funding in 2025.

Funding for drug and alcohol projects under Section 39 arrangements will increase by €500,000 this year, with the same funding next year.

Some €400,000 extra funding is being provided for a Mental Health Crisis Team, to be further increased by €300,000 in 2025.

The country’s sexual assault treatment units are due to receive an extra €100,000 in 2024 and a further additional €100,000 in 2025.

The focus on mental health is on “reducing waiting lists” and early intervention on psychosis in children and young people and eating disorder programmes.

The plan said existing suicide bereavement support services will be “enhanced to meet increasing demands”.

It said promised intensive care rehabilitation services, within the National Forensic Mental Health Service, “is at planning stage for 2024”.

These services were contingent on a review of the intensive care rehabilitation unit in the new Central Mental Hospital in Portrane, which had been delayed due to recruitment difficulties.

Elsewhere the report said the HSE would “embed” investment in the multi-agency Barnahus model of child sexual abuse services.

As well as the delayed establishment of a pilot supervised injecting centre in Dublin, there are plans for an addiction facility for homeless people, continued initiatives on cocaine, strengthened drug monitoring services and implementation of the Health Diversion Programme, which has been delayed by the need for new legislation.