3156. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Health which Model 3 hospitals will receive specialist mental health nursing teams in emergency departments during 2027; and the projected recruitment timeline. [55019/26]

As part of a suite of measure to provide support to people experiencing a mental health crisis, under funding which I allocated in Budget 2026, the HSE will establish specialist nursing teams in the emergency departments of all Model 4 hospitals out-of-hours, made up of Advanced Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists to support people in crisis. By placing specialist nursing teams in our emergency departments out-of-hours, coupled with the expansion of community alternatives such as crisis resolution teams and crisis cafes, we are fundamentally changing how we respond to the needs of people in distress.

These sites were selected to target the supports at our busiest Emergency Departments, where the highest volume of mental health crisis presentations are made.

The Department of Health and HSE are planning for the extension of these teams to Model 3 hospitals subject to future Estimates processes.

This will be informed by data on presentations.

This year, as Minister, I have also prioritised the roll out of new Crisis Resolution Teams for three areas of the country with Model 3 hospitals - Co. Donegal, Co. Kerry, and the Midlands. This will bring the number of Crisis Resolution Services nationally to 10.