€1.3m investment in mental health services for North Tipperary including new crisis team
North Tipperary will see a “major” expansion in mental health services following Budget 2027, including a Solace Café and a crisis resolution team.
The new Solace Café will be delivered at a cost of €330,000, and will offer support to those in crisis in an out-of-hours, non-clinical setting.
The café for North Tipperary is one of six that will be rolled out across the country to support people going through mental health difficulties, aiming to offer an alternative to emergency departments for people experiencing a mental health crisis.
Solace Cafés offer support sessions where people can learn about coping strategies and access a range of supports, including psychosocial and recovery supports, as well as help with sign-posting to other relevant local services.
North Tipperary will also be allocated a crisis intervention team, at a cost of €1 million.
These specialist teams can provide rapid assessment and community-based interventions for those going through a crisis situation.
North Tipperary TD Michael Lowry said that the announcement represents a “major” step forward for mental health services in the area.
“Mental health challenges can affect anyone, and it is essential that people have access to timely, compassionate and effective support close to their own communities,” he said.
“These new services will provide practical help and professional intervention for people experiencing distress or crisis, while also reducing reliance on hospital emergency departments.
“This investment represents a significant step forward for mental health care in North Tipperary and will make a real difference to the lives of many individuals and families,” he added.
Deputy Lowry said that he would continue to work with all the relevant authorities to ensure that the services are rolled out in North Tipperary as soon as possible.
The announcement comes after Deputy Lowry previously raised concerns in the Dáil about whether mental health services in the north of the county were adequately staffed to meet demand.
In response, the HSE said there were “staffing deficits”, although cover arrangements were in place “to ensure teams are supported where deficits arise”.
Nationally, Budget 2027 provides for six more specialist crisis nursing teams in busy emergency departments, four additional Jigsaw youth mental health services, and three new specialist community adult mental health teams focused on psychosis, eating disorders and dual diagnosis care.