People under the age of 24 account for 36.6% of Kildare’s population
Minister of State for Mental Health Mary Butler that the establishment of a Jigsaw youth mental health service in Kildare is a priority.
The comments came after Fianna Fáil Senator for Kildare South Fiona O’Loughlin raised the issue in the Seanad, highlighting that Kildare has the highest proportion of people under the age of 24 in the State but does not have a dedicated Jigsaw service.
During the debate, Senator O’Loughlin outlined the need for greater access to early intervention mental health supports for young people, noting that while some require specialist CAMHS services, many more benefit from community based services such as Jigsaw.
She highlighted that people under the age of 24 account for 36.6% of Kildare’s population, the highest proportion in the country, with many travelling outside of the county to avail of mental health services.
Other figures highlighted included that Kildare has the highest rate of youth suicide in Leinster, as 14 people died by suicide in Kildare in 2023, in 2022 the figure was 26 and in 2021 it was 27.
Senator O' Loughlin also confirmed that she, together with local councillors Noel Heavey and Rob Power, has been working to identify a suitable premises in Newbridge to accommodate the service when approved.
In response, Minister Butler said that the issue is "high on my agenda in respect of Jigsaw" and that the numbers speak for themselves.
The Minister further alluded to the work being done to develop a youth mental health service in the county, remarking that they are "just starting with the estimates process now ", adding that she will be "working really hard to secure the funding to expand a youth mental health service provision".
"My aim is to make sure that there will be another presence of Jigsaw within budget 2027. The Senator's area is very high up on the list to deliver a Jigsaw.
“We have a few areas that specifically need them, we all know where they are and Kildare is one of them. I will continue to work with the Senator on this because it is really important.”
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