423. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Health the actions being taken by her Department and the HSE during World Mental Health Day week 2026 to support the mental wellbeing of children and young people; and her views on findings in a report (details supplied). [75107/26]

As the Deputy may be aware, I marked World Mental Health Day 2026 by announcing an investment of €11 million that will strengthen early intervention, youth mental health and community-based supports across Ireland.

At the centre of the package is an investment of €3.8 million to establish four new Jigsaw services in Dún Laoghaire and across counties Kildare, Cavan, Monaghan, Sligo and Leitrim. Jigsaw provides free support for young people aged 12 to 25 experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties. Once operational next year, these new services will extend access to an estimated 135,000 additional young people across six counties, increasing national coverage of such services from 75% to 90%.

I also secured further investment of over €3.5 million to strengthen specialist care within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). This includes additional clinical staff to establish a dedicated ADHD pathway and enhanced Mental Health Intellectual Disability (MHID) services for children and young people with complex needs. The new resources will support faster access to assessment and care, with a particular focus on children waiting the longest for services.

Recognising the important role of recovery-focused and non-clinical supports, I secured an additional €500,000 to expand Social Farming initiatives for young people attending CAMHS and for people living in community mental health residences. Social Farming provides opportunities for people to build confidence, develop social connections and participate in meaningful activities in community settings, supporting recovery and overall wellbeing.

Funding has also been secured for the establishment of a National Prescribing Office to support safe, consistent and evidence-based prescribing in mental health services generally, with an initial focus on CAMHS.

This package forms part of the record €1.657 billion allocated to mental health services in Budget 2027, an increase of €108 million on 2026 and more than 60% higher than the level of investment in 2020. This significant investment will strengthen and broaden the range of mental health supports available in our communities, ensuring that therapeutic support is accessible and available at the earliest point of need.

In recognition of World Mental Health Day, I would encourage anyone struggling with their mental health to reach out to one of the many free supports either provided by or funded by the HSE. Please visit yourmentalhealth.ie to learn more about the supports that are available.

It is important to note that the Programme for Government commits to improving all aspects of youth mental health care. This has been underpinned by the significant additional funding I have secured for youth mental health over recent years and the significant funds secured under Budget 2027 as outlined above.

It has been a long standing priority for me, and for Government, to ensure that children who require mental health services can access them in a timely manner. This is in line with our national mental health policy Sharing the Vision, our suicide reduction strategy Connecting for Life, and HSE National Service Plans.

The HSE Child and Youth Mental Health Action Plan 2024-2027 sets out a clear roadmap to ensure that children and families have equitable and timely access to high-quality standardised mental health care, including better links with primary care and disability services, and greater use of e-mental health responses. My aim is that services will be better connected and easier to navigate, with an increased focus on the rights of young people and their families.

I will continue to work closely with the HSE to ensure that all aspects of youth mental health care are improved over this year and beyond. I have referred this question to the HSE for direct response to the Deputy in relation to any detailed operational information or observations it may wish to furnish in relation to this matter.