Mental Health Reform, the national coalition of 83 mental health charities representing service users, families and community groups, has today sent a clear call to the Taoiseach: “Pay the Bill” for mental health services.
The coalition is seeking an additional €200 million investment in mental health in Budget 2026. This includes €120 million to develop new services to address unmet needs, and €80 million to sustain existing services. The submission highlights that Ireland currently allocates just 5.6% of the health budget to mental health, far below the 10% target set out in Sláintecare, and stresses that without a major step-change, the country will not meet the 2030 commitment.
“Right now, under 6% of the total health budget is allocated to mental health,” said Dr Louise Rooney, Policy and Research Manager at Mental Health Reform. “With a target of 10% by 2030, we need to see a step-change in Budget 2026, starting with a minimum of 6.5% this year and rising consistently thereafter.”
The call comes against a backdrop of growing demand. Research shows more than 4 in 10 adults in Ireland are living with mental health difficulties, one of the highest rates in Europe. UNICEF has reported poor child and youth outcomes, with suicide rates above the international average, while CAMHS waiting lists continue to climb. In May 2025 alone, 4,437 children were waiting for CAMHS, with 713 waiting more than 12 months for a first appointment.
Mental Health Reform is warning that chronic underinvestment has left services overstretched and underfunded. Last year, Ireland spent €93 million outsourcing mental health care abroad or to private services – funds the coalition argues should instead be invested in strengthening Ireland’s own public and voluntary services.
As part of its “Pay the Bill” campaign, Mental Health Reform has outlined five key funding priorities for Budget 2026:
- Accessing services – €25m to reduce long waits, upgrade emergency departments, expand Solace cafés, and roll out Crisis Resolution Teams.
- Youth mental health – €20m to address CAMHS staffing shortages and develop early support and outreach services.
- Sharing the Vision – €40m to deliver delayed commitments in the national mental health strategy, including specialised services such as a National Mother & Baby Unit and Early Intervention in Psychosis programmes.
- Care in the Community – €25m to expand early intervention and inclusive supports, with targeted funding for minority groups such as Travellers, migrants, and the homeless.
- Legal commitments – €10m to support implementation of the Mental Health Bill, alongside funding for a national independent advocacy service.
“With the Mental Health Bill moving through the Oireachtas and major reforms underway in health regions and mental health strategy, there has never been a more important moment to back policy with investment,” said Dr Rooney. “Budget 2026 is the chance to finally settle the long-standing debt to mental health and to pay the bill that is long overdue.”
For more information on Mental Health Reform’s “Pay the Bill” campaign and to read the full Pre-Budget Submission, visit www.mentalhealthreform.ie/budget-2026.