Sinn Féin TD for Waterford, Conor McGuinness, has said that while the recent announcement of a new Jigsaw Youth Mental Health Service for the South East is welcome, Budget 2026 once again shows the government’s alarming lack of commitment to real delivery on mental health.
Speaking today, Teachta McGuinness said:
“The announcement of a Jigsaw Youth Mental Health Service for our region is a positive step — and it’s something communities, families and campaigners have long called for. But young people and families in Waterford need action and delivery, not another announcement that risks sitting on a shelf.
“When we look at Budget 2026, it’s clear that the government still doesn’t grasp the scale of the crisis in mental health. It reads like a copy-and-paste of last year’s budget — no new measures, no urgency, no ambition.
“Across Waterford and the South East, mental health services are stretched to breaking point. Waiting lists are soaring, community teams are understaffed, and youth services are under strain. People in crisis are being left waiting months, sometimes years, for the help they need.
“Once again, mental health has been treated as a paragraph in a budget speech rather than a national emergency that requires leadership, resources and a plan. The government’s approach is all spin and no substance — words instead of delivery.
“Sinn Féin has a clear and costed alternative. Our Mental Health Action Plan sets out a five-year roadmap for reform, staffing, and investment in youth, community, and specialist mental health services. Our Alternative Budget outlines real investment and real solutions that would make a difference to people struggling every day.
“Waterford communities deserve better than recycled promises and press releases. We need real delivery — a properly funded, accessible mental health service that meets the needs of young people and families right across the South East.”
Conor D. McGuinness TD 