In 2025, Ireland has made notable strides in allocating resources to mental health services. With a record-breaking budget and significant capital investments, the government has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing mental health infrastructure and services. However, despite these advancements, challenges persist, particularly in service delivery, workforce capacity, and equitable access.
Record-Breaking Budget Allocation
The Irish government announced an unprecedented €1.5 billion allocation for mental health services in Budget 2025, marking the fifth consecutive year of increased funding. This represents a 43.7% increase over the lifetime of the current government. Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler, emphasised that this investment aims to focus on child and youth mental health, delivering targeted initiatives to support children and young people as they transition from child to adult mental health services (gov.ie).
Capital Investments and Infrastructure Development
In addition to operational funding, a significant €31 million capital investment was announced for mental health infrastructure in 2025. This is the largest ever one-year allocation for mental health infrastructure and forms part of the government’s broader commitment to delivering modern, fit-for-purpose mental health facilities. Projects include:
- Redevelopment of Adult Acute and Psychiatry of Later Life Units
- Progress on facilities for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
- Commissioning of a new Specialist Eating Disorders Hub at Mount Carmel Hospital, Dublin (gov.ie)
Targeted Initiatives for Specialised Services
Budget 2025 also allocated €5.7 million for the development of specialist mental health teams. These include:
- Four new Adult ADHD teams
- Two Eating Disorder teams
- Two Early Intervention in Psychosis teams
- Two Dual Diagnosis teams
This represents the most significant specialist services investment to date and supports the ongoing rollout of national clinical programmes.
Persistent Challenges in Service Delivery
Despite this substantial funding increase, multiple issues continue to affect the actual delivery of services across Ireland:
1-Workforce Shortages
The planned expansion of services demands a corresponding increase in trained mental health professionals. Recruitment and retention remain significant obstacles, especially in psychiatry, clinical psychology, and CAMHS. According to HSE data, many posts remain unfilled due to a shortage of qualified candidates or uncompetitive working conditions.
2- Inequitable Access Across Regions
There are marked disparities in service access between urban and rural regions. While Dublin may benefit from multiple specialist services, smaller counties such as Leitrim or Longford often lack even basic mental health resources. This has led to long wait times, travel burdens, and delayed diagnoses.
3- Overreliance on the Private Sector
In 2024, the Health Service Executive (HSE) spent nearly €93 million outsourcing mental health care to private providers. This highlights persistent capacity issues within the public system and raises questions about the long-term sustainability of such a model (The Sun).
The View from the Clinic
According to psychologist Dr. Becky Spelman, while the funding is undoubtedly a positive sign, implementation remains the key challenge. “It’s encouraging to see the government commit serious money to mental health,” she noted. “But what we’re hearing from clients and families—especially in more rural areas—is that access hasn’t changed much on the ground. There’s a real disconnect between funding announcements and lived experience.”
Strategic Demands from the Sector
Leading organisations such as Mental Health Reform, a national coalition of 85 organisations, welcomed the funding but emphasised the need for a strategic approach to spending. Their pre-budget submission called for an additional €120 million for mental health in 2025—broken down as €40 million to maintain existing services and €80 million to expand provision.
In particular, they have called for:
- A National Mental Health Workforce Plan
- Improved service integration between mental health, addiction, and housing
- The full implementation of Sharing the Vision, Ireland’s 10-year mental health policy
The organisation warned that money alone will not fix systemic inefficiencies, and that the HSE must address longstanding bottlenecks in hiring, accountability, and service integration (Mental Health Reform).
Where the Funding Is Going: A Breakdown
While much of the capital investment is going into infrastructure projects, operational funding is earmarked for:
- CAMHS expansion and reform
- Crisis response teams and community mental health hubs
- Digital mental health supports, including online therapy platforms
- Workforce training and professional development programmes
- Ongoing pandemic-related mental health interventions
The new ADHD and Eating Disorder teams, in particular, are seen as vital, given growing awareness and rising diagnosis rates in adults and adolescents alike.
Public Reception and Political Framing
Public reaction to the €1.5 billion allocation has been mixed. On one hand, mental health advocates welcomed the largest investment in Irish history. On the other, service users have expressed scepticism about how quickly these funds will translate into action—especially in areas where mental health services have been historically weak.
Minister Mary Butler described the budget as “a defining moment in mental health provision,” but has also acknowledged implementation challenges. In the Dáil, opposition figures noted that while capital budgets are welcome, they do little for people currently stuck on waiting lists or denied care due to eligibility rules.
Measuring Impact: What Will Success Look Like?
Experts agree that the true test of this funding lies in outcomes, not just numbers. Metrics such as:
- Reduced waiting times for CAMHS and adult services
- Decreased rates of suicide and self-harm
- Improved patient satisfaction and follow-up engagement
- Regional parity in service provision
…will all be crucial in determining whether this historic investment marks real change or simply a political milestone.
Moving Forward: What More Is Needed?
The 2025 mental health budget is a significant and commendable step forward. But to truly transform the system, experts recommend:
1- A national audit of service gaps and regional disparities
2- A transparent reporting system on funding outcomes
3- A national recruitment campaign for psychiatry and clinical psychology
4- Integration of mental health services into schools, primary care, and community settings
5- Expanded public-private partnership frameworks with better oversight
As Dr. Spelman noted, “Mental health funding must follow the patient. If it gets stuck in overheads or paperwork, the opportunity will be lost.”
Conclusion
Ireland’s allocation of €1.5 billion for mental health in 2025 represents both a landmark commitment and a significant test. The funding lays the foundation for reform, but the success of this investment hinges on strategic execution, cross-sector collaboration, and continuous evaluation.
With more resources than ever before, Ireland has the tools to reshape its mental health landscape. The question now is whether it has the coordination and political will to do so.
