Sinn Féin spokesperson for Mental Health Mark Ward TD has called the government’s failure to resources Early Intervention Psychosis (EIP) a blatant disregard of their duty of care to those experiencing mental health difficulties.

The National Clinical Programme for Early Intervention in Psychosis has not received additional funding for the past two years.

Teachta Ward said:

“Each year an estimated 1,500 people across the state develop a psychotic disorder for the first time.

“Psychosis is associated with the most serious and disabling conditions treated in mental health services. Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, delusional disorder, drug-induced psychosis and severe depression are the key diagnoses seen in Early Intervention Psychosis services.

“Psychosis is a serious mental illness. However, Early Intervention in Psychosis research internationally has demonstrated that people recover with the right specialist care.

“Information I received from the HSE stated that ‘there is currently no agreement on funding for EIP services in 2024’.

“This follows two budgets where additional funding was not allocated to the services.

“This is a blatant disregard of the government’s duty of care to those experiencing mental health difficulties.

“With no funding in 2023, there were no new teams that year.

“This will likely happen again in 2024. There has been funding allocated from the Women’s Health Taskforce to develop a CAMHS psychosis team for 2024.

“Sharing the Vision states that we need about 20 more Early Intervention in Psychosis teams in Ireland.

“However, at the current rate of investment of €408,000 per year since 2015 it will take more than 60 years to roll out Early Intervention in Psychosis teams nationally.

“This will be 50 years after Sharing the Vision has expired! 

“Psychosis is a serious mental illness. However, Early Intervention Psychosis research internationally has demonstrated that people recover with the right specialist help.

“There needs to be more parity of care for physical health and mental health.

“People, in particular young people with these serious but treatable mental health conditions, deserve better. 

“The HSE states that for each €1 invested in Early Intervention Psychosis results in €18 saving to the health service by reducing admissions, reducing relapses, reducing crisis presentations and increasing retention in employment and education. 

“Failure to invest by this government makes no sense on a human or economic level.

“Sinn Féin in government would commit to the full delivery of the Early Intervention Psychosis Model of Care and the full delivery of the additional 20 teams that is required in five years.”

The response to Teachta Ward’s Parliamentary Question can be read here.