Youth mental health service coming to 'left behind' Waterford and South East

The long awaited youth mental health service, Jigsaw, will finally be established in Waterford and will serve the entire South East. 

Calls have been made by local representatives and the local Comhairle na nÓg for years now for the service to be brought to the Déise.

An allocation of €1 million was made in the recent Budget to provide the service, which is expected to be up and running in early 2026.

READ NEXT: Waterford gardaí investigating after overnight break-in at popular local takeaway

Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler, made the announcement on WLR's Déise Today this morning.

"We won't see it before Christmas but I've asked them to commence immediately the recruitment part of it," she said.

Jigsaw provides early intervention for young people struggling with mental health disorders. 

It will focus on helping those aged 12 to 25 who are experiencing mild to moderate mental health issues, according to WLRFM.

At the moment, Waterford City and County Council are in the process of securing a premises that Jigsaw can be run out of.

Plans are also in place for outreach services in West Waterford, South Wexford, and South Kilkenny.

Deputy Conor McGuinness said in May that it is an "absolute scandal" that Waterford was the only county in Ireland without a Jigsaw service.

He added that without it, the entire South East region has been "left behind." 

This marks the first opening of a Jigsaw service since 2022.