Wexford Councillor Labels Mental Health Minister's Promises As "Not Good Enough"

A Wexford councillor says the people of the town want services not promises from the Minister for Mental Health.

Councillor Raymond Shannon has shared correspondence from Mary Butler over his call for 24/7 mental health care for the area.

Minister Butler says a business case is being developed for a new mental health facility in Wexford but Councillor Shannon says there is no timeline, no start date and no guarantee of delivery.

He's calling on the Minister to stop dancing around and commit to a timeline for when these promises will become a reality.

The following is the response received by Councillor Shannon from the Minister:

Dear Raymond,

I refer to your representation regarding the provision of mental health services in County Wexford.

As Minister for Mental Health, I have already set out my priorities for capital projects for 2026, with over €40m allocated to initiate and progress mental health infrastructure projects this year.

The funding represents another record level of investment in 43 separate mental health capital projects across the country, with annual investment set to increase further over the next four years.

This also includes provision for a new 10-bed specialist Community Mental Health Unit has been included in the plan for Wexford to provide intensive short stay care and treatment to people experiencing mental health difficulties in the county.

As this relates to a service matter, it was forward to the HSE which have provided the following update.

Mental Health Facility in County Wexford

The HSE have updated that the need for a new mental health facility in Wexford has been recently identified as part of the HSE 10 year capital plan for mental health, which is currently under development. In anticipation of progressing a business case for this new proposal, the HSE is currently conducting a needs assessments analysis. A business case will be developed and progressed in line with HSE Protocols and Infrastructure Guidelines.

The HSE outline that there is currently a 24-hour crisis house/respite care based in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford which opened in July 2014. An Tearmann offers an alternative to mental health hospitalisation, providing a place where support is provided to individuals experiencing mental health difficulties who without a community alternative may require in patient care. An Tearmann also provides a step-down facility from inpatient facilities while supporting individuals to return to independent living.

Mental Health Liaison Services in Wexford

Liaison psychiatry, also known as consultation liaison psychiatry, provides specialist mental health input in emergency departments and general hospital wards. Liaison Psychiatry plays a critical role in supporting people who present with both physical and mental health needs, particularly people who may present with eating disorders, self-harm and suicidal ideation. Under Budget 2026 as Minister I funded additional posts enhance Adult Liaison Psychiatry services in line with the recently launched national model of care.

The HSE have updated that Wexford General Hospital has the following Mental Health Liaison Service:

7 Day service, operating from 9am – 5pm.

5 appointed Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) in Liaison Mental Health

1 appointed SCAN nurse ( with a further post recently funded and in recruitment).

1 CNS rotating between SCAN/Liaison on 6 monthly basis

1 full time Registrar

Part time cover for Consultant Psychiatrist

Access is available to County call at weekends & bank holidays.

Out of hours is covered by psychiatric Non Consultant Hospital Doctor on call within the Emergency Department of University Hospital Waterford which provides for emergency assessments, across the Waterford / Wexford region.

Finally, it is important to note that responsibility for the provision of health services at a local level has been devolved to the relevant HSE Regions, which in this case is HSE Dublin and South East. The HSE is very committed to delivering mental health services to meet the needs of the service users for County Wexford . As Minister, I remain engaged with the HSE Regions to ensure mental health services continue meet the needs of people who need to access these services.

I trust this information is of assistance in relation to your enquiry.

Yours sincerely,

Mary Butler T.D.

Minister for Mental Health and Government Chief Whip

That report was funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.