Mental health services in Waterford are set to expand following an additional €108 million investment announced in Budget 2027.

Waterford TD and Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler says the funding will support further development of local services, while a number of initiatives already operating in the county are also being expanded nationally.

Among the Waterford measures is additional staffing for a new Dual Diagnosis Team, which will support people experiencing both mental health difficulties and addiction challenges.

Further investment will also increase capacity within the Perinatal Mental Health Service at University Hospital Waterford.

Minister Butler said Waterford has already benefited from a number of services which are now being used as models for expansion elsewhere.

Jigsaw Waterford opened on O’Connell Street in August and has so far supported 45 young people.

The service is expected to move to a permanent base on Canada Street.

Budget 2027 includes funding for four additional Jigsaw services nationally, which are expected to extend access to youth mental health supports to another 135,000 young people.

Waterford’s Solace Café, which opened on New Street in June, is also among the initiatives being expanded nationally.

The out-of-hours service provides community-based support for people experiencing mental health distress, with six additional Solace Cafés planned around the country.

Waterford also has a Crisis Resolution Team operating seven days a week from St John’s Hill Primary Care Centre.

The service is designed to provide intensive support in the community for people experiencing acute mental health difficulties and reduce the need for hospital attendance or admission.

Minister Butler said further Crisis Resolution Teams will now be established nationally.

Overall, Budget 2027 provides an additional €108 million for mental health services, bringing total funding to €1.657 billion.

The funding will support 280 additional frontline posts, as well as further investment in crisis services, early intervention and specialist clinical programmes.