The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland has described Budget 2025 as a “major disappointment”, adding that the measures introduced will not go far enough to recruit and retain the requisite number of doctors needed to provide an optimal service for patients.
 
The College dismissed the Department of Health’s claim of a “record spend” of €1.48 billion on mental health in Budget 2025 as “meaningless spin”, citing that the cost of service delivery has increased in recent years.

The College added that this increase has coincided with the nation's population also rising along with demand for health services.

The College warned that an allocation of just under 6% of the overall health budget was too low and should have at least doubled to bring Ireland in line with comparable countries.

It noted that Sláintecare had recommended that the budget for mental health total at least 10% of the overall health budget.