3368. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when the promised two suicide crisis assessment nurses for Kerry will be delivered; if they will be operational by quarter 3; and the reason for failure to meet the summer deadline. [56045/26]

There has been sustained and significant investment in suicide reduction initiatives over the last number of years, underlining the high priority placed by Government on improving mental health services and supports and reducing suicide and self-harm across the population.

This commitment has been further reinforced in Budget 2026. The total allocation for mental health is almost €1.6 billion, representing a record level of funding and an increase for the sixth consecutive year, with overall mental health funding increasing by over 50% since 2020.

Budget 2026 also includes a major focus on improving supports for people in mental health crisis, with over €15 million in additional funding for crisis supports and suicide prevention measures.

This funding is supporting a range of service developments, including expanded crisis resolution services and crisis cafés as alternatives to Emergency Departments, strengthened SCAN supports in primary care settings, specialist out-of-hours nursing provision in Emergency Departments, enhanced crisis pathways for children and young people, increased funding for community and voluntary organisations delivering suicide prevention services such as Pieta, and €1 million to support the initial implementation of the new suicide reduction strategy.

These measures are aligned with the actions set out in the Strategy, including strengthening crisis responses across hospital and community settings and expanding alternatives to Emergency Departments.

As this PQ raises an operational matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.