Budget 2027: €108m rise in mental health funding to include six more 'solace cafes'
Junior mental health minister Mary Butler at Fianna Fáil's annual think-in in Tullamore, Co Offaly last month. Picture: Niall Carson/PA
The budget will see the funding of six new crisis 'Solace' cafes to bring the total to 15 across the country, across a €108m increase in mental health funding.
The mental health budget agreed by minister Mary Butler will see the additional €108m spent in 2027, up 7% to €1.657bn. That will fund six new crisis cafes which support people in distress out of hours.
Cafes in Limerick and Galway have contributed to a reduction by 13-18% in emergency presentations, data show. There are currently nine in Ireland, with plans for a full national rollout.
Mental health will also see a further two community crisis resolution teams for rural counties that don’t have acute units and a further 12 Suicide Crisis Assessment Nurse teams to support people in the community who present to their GP in distress. This will mean every county will have at least one of these teams.
There will be €1m in targeted suicide prevention initiatives for the Traveller community, the largest single-year investment in Traveller mental health ever.
The Government will also cap childcare fees at €550 from next September under plans to be announced in the Budget tomorrow.
The package agreed by children's minister Norma Foley means parents paying for full-day care five days a week will see fees capped at €550 per month up to senior infants, a move that could save families hundreds of euros a month. The package will also contain a wage increase for early years workers.
In Health, there will be an emphasis on moving “more care closer to home”, as well as commencing the introduction of a shingles vaccine program for immunocompromised groups.
There will be improved access to oral health and orthodontic services, with eligibility for the free contraception scheme increased from age 35 to age 37.
Higher education minister James Lawless successfully secured a €150 permanent increase to the student contribution charge, bringing the fee down from €2,500 to €2,350. This is on top of grants for parents with more than one child in college, which will reduce the cost of college by up to €750 per student.
Meanwhile, the Department of Defence will receive a 10.5% increase in its budget, with this set to fund the recruitment of 400 new Defence Forces recruits alongside almost 100 civilian and civil servant specialists.
In Housing, funding has been secured for the child and family homelessness action plan, with an increase in Housing Adaptation grants allocation for private homes for older people and those with disabilities.
Education will see an overall funding increase for 2027, which will provide for increased capitation for schools, additional teachers, SNAs, therapists and supports.
Transport will see the Public Service Obligation levy increase by 11% in a bid to add 140 new routes and continue rollout work of Dart+ and Metrolink projects.
An increase to the Rent a Room tax relief is also due to be announced today, with it set to rise by €2,000. This means that any household who lets a room to a tenant will be able to get up to €16,000 in rent per year tax free.
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