The Dáil has heard calls to prioritise mental health supports for those in the north west impacted by the defective concrete crisis.
Deputy Charles Ward addressed the Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health, Mary Butler, yesterday on the issue.
He was speaking in support of a motion that would require Model 3 and Model 4 hospitals to provide a dedicated mental health emergency room, separate from emergency departments.
“A dedicated mental health emergency room would be a game changer in the likes of Letterkenny hospital,” Deputy Ward said.
“It would allow patients suffering from mental health illnesses to get immediate, specialised care, care that is too often delayed, inaccessible, or in the case of Donegal, entirely absent in the current system. It is devastating that, in this day and age, we still don’t treat mental illness with the same urgency and seriousness as physical illness, because the consequences are just as real and detrimental”.
The 100% Redress Leader said more investment in emergency mental health services makes sense and would have wide ranging impacts.
The Donegal Deputy raised findings from Ulster University research regarding the mental health impact of the defective concrete crisis, which was published last year. The research found that rates of depression, anxiety and trauma-related disorders were all significantly higher among adults living in defective concrete homes, than in the general Irish population.
“Donegal is facing a significant mental health crisis characterised by long waiting lists, rising demand and overstretched services, and compounded by a defective concrete crisis,” he added.
“Sadly, research conducted on children living in defective concrete homes showed a similar trend. Children being raised in this crisis are already experiencing profound and lasting effects on their mental health and emotional wellbeing.’
The 100% Redress leader also detailed the impact that the defective concrete crisis is having on elderly and vulnerable people in Donegal.
Deputy Ward asked Minister Butler to prioritise the provision of mental health facilities in Donegal to meet the demand and asked for an update on the transition of Radharc na Sleibhte in Carndonagh to a recovery-focused crisis intervention/set down facility.
Calls to prioritise mental health for those impacted by the defective concrete crisis was last modified: January 28th, 2026 by Staff Writer