Calls grow for funding approval for Carndonagh mental health facility

Renewed calls have been made for the long-awaited approval of capital funding to redevelop Radharc na Sléibhte in Carndonagh into a modern, recovery-focused mental health crisis intervention facility.

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn raised the issue in the Dáil during parliamentary questions, asking the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, when capital approval would be granted to allow the facility transition from its current residential model to a recovery-based crisis intervention and step-down unit, supported by 24-hour staffing. The proposal has been formally requested by the HSE’s Donegal Mental Health Services (DMHS) management team.

In her reply, Minister Carroll MacNeill said that capital development of mental health services is a key priority for her Department. She confirmed that work is ongoing with the HSE to develop a 10-year National Mental Health Capital Plan, backed by what she described as “substantial investment”. 

Referring specifically to Radharc na Sléibhte, Minister Carroll MacNeill said she had asked the HSE to respond directly to Deputy Mac Lochlainn as soon as possible.

North Inishowen Councillor Albert Doherty welcomed the commitments but stressed that communities and families are still awaiting a decision. Speaking following the adoption of his motion at the January meeting of Donegal County Council, Cllr Doherty said the Council had formally urged the Minister for Health and HSE National Capital Estates to confirm and allocate the funding requested by Donegal Mental Health Services for the Carndonagh project.

Cllr Doherty highlighted that Donegal Mental Health Services have already completed detailed plans and costings for the project at Radharc na Sléibhte. 

The proposed development includes a 10-bed en-suite crisis unit, a seven-day outreach service to support people in their own homes, a day hospital for short-term acute care, outpatient treatment spaces, occupational and talking therapies, and dedicated therapeutic areas within the building.

Cllr Doherty noted that briefings were held with families in November 2024 and with local representatives in January 2025. He also referenced correspondence from Mary Butler, Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health, dated January 7th, which advised that the capital funding application for the Carndonagh Supervised Residential Unit was due to be considered by the Capital Planning Expert Group last month.

“The families of current clients, all stakeholders, and Donegal Mental Health Services continue to await confirmation and approval of the necessary funding,” Cllr Doherty said. “A positive funding response from the government that ensures the development of mental health services in Inishowen and Donegal should issue forthwith.”

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Seconding the motion, Sinn Féin Councillor Gerry McMonagle for the Letterkenny MD said mental health services continue to be under-resourced, describing them as “the poor cousin” of healthcare services nationally. He pointed to ongoing pressures across CAMHS, adult services, addiction supports, and the shortage of psychiatric beds, including at Letterkenny University Hospital, where the Psychiatric Unit “certainly needs an extension.”