Ministers urged to fund mental health care pilot

CONCERNS have been raised over the lack of dedicated funding for a new mental health crisis response initiative in Limerick.

Following responses to Parliamentary Questions from the ministers for health and justice, it was confirmed that no additional funding has been provided to the Community Access Support Team.

The Community Access Support Team (CAST), a pilot project launched in October and operational since January, is designed to assist people experiencing situational trauma or mental health crises. A joint initiative between An Garda Síochána and the HSE Mid-West Community Healthcare, the programme combines intervention, prevention, and outreach in a collaborative effort to improve emergency mental health responses.

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Limerick Sinn Féin TD, Maurice Quinlivan, said: “As this was a new project and initiative we expected additional funding to support this. The HSE and An Garda Siochána are already very stretched in Limerick and additional funding should have been given to support the roll out of the Community Access Support Team.

“It is a project that has huge potential and can be a very useful tool in addressing mental health challenges, particularly during out-of-hours times.”

Mr Quinlivan is appealing to both ministers to provide additional funding to this team so that it can continue to interact with those in need.