New €1.3 million mental health Crisis Resolution Service announced for Offaly
The initiative will create up to ten full-time positions to strengthen mental health locally
A brand new €1.3 million mental health Crisis Resolution Service has been announced for Tullamore as part of the 2026 mental health budget.
The project offers a huge boost to the mental health services in Offaly after funding was confirmed by Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler TD.
Following the announcement, Minister Butler stated that similar services have successfully been established in other areas of the country such as Sligo, Donegal and Kerry.
The initiative which represents a €1.3 million recurring annual investment creating ten new full-time positions with the target of strengthening community-based mental health supports across the region.
The announcement has been welcomed by Deputy Tony McCormack TD who describes it as a "real and meaningful step forward in improving access to mental health supports for people across Offaly".
McCormack continued: "This new service will provide people in crisis with the help they need, when and where they need it - in their own community. It's about early intervention, compassionate support and keeping people connected to local services".
A Crisis Resolution Team and a Solace Café will be the two key components of the new service.
The Crisis Resolution Teams are community-based multidisciplinary teams that provide rapid assessment and short-term intensive support for adults experiencing a mental health crisis.
Support is typically provided at home, in the community or virtually over a period of six weeks with the team's extended hours also offering a flexible seven-day service.
Solace Cafés are one of the newest additions to Ireland's mental health care model offering a non-clinical, welcoming and safe environment for people in need of support outside typical working hours.
The Cafés will be predominantly open in the evenings and weekends and will be run in partnership with various local community organisations.
Deputy McCormack added that the substantial investment "shows real commitment from government to strengthen mental health care at a local level".
McCormack concluded by saying: "Every community should have somewhere people can turn when they are struggling - without stigma and without delay. This new service will make that a reality for people here in Tullamore and the midlands".
Offaly's new Crisis Resolution Service is expected to begin its rollout in 2026 with recruitment for the ten new staff positions to follow later next year.