Minister Dillon welcomes confirmation of Adult ADHD specialist service to Mayo town

Minister of State Alan Dillon, TD, has welcomed confirmation that a new specialist mental health service for adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been identified for Castlebar Primary Care Centre as the proposed regional hub.

The service will be delivered by a new multi-disciplinary team and will serve Mayo, Galway and Roscommon. Recruitment for five specialist posts, Consultant Psychiatrist, Senior Psychologist, Senior Occupational Therapist, Clinical Nurse Specialist (Mental Health), and Administrator (Grade IV) is scheduled to commence shortly, with opening anticipated in late 2026 following recruitment, onboarding and commissioning.

Minister Dillon emphasised the critical need for these services, noting that until the National Clinical Programme for Adults with ADHD began in 2021, there were no dedicated public services for adults with ADHD in Ireland.

“This will be the first dedicated specialist team hub under the National Clinical Programme to serve the West of Ireland, marking a major step forward in regional healthcare provision,” he said.

The new Castlebar service forms part of the National Clinical Programme for Adults with ADHD, launched in 2021 to address a critical gap in Ireland’s mental health system. Since its inception, over €5 million has been allocated to develop specialist teams. Seven teams are operational, with two more in development, and funding for full national coverage has been secured in Budget 2025.

“I am pleased to note that five specialist posts are being initiated to establish the regional Adult ADHD Service, which will be led by a specialist team at Castlebar Primary Care Centre. The establishment of the service base here in Mayo is a very positive development for our county and the wider region,” Securing this service for the West has been a priority I have championed, having spoken with many families, and its delivery will make a real difference for people across Mayo, Galway and Roscommon.”

“The HSE Clinical Lead has been in regular contact with the local service to initiate recruitment,” Minister Dillon said. “I want to sincerely thank Charlie Meehan, Regional Head of Mental Health Services at the HSE, along with his team, for their ongoing support and commitment in progressing this service. The identification of Castlebar Primary Care Centre as the proposed site is a welcome and practical solution.”

Minister Dillon also acknowledged the progress made by Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler, who launched the National Clinical Programme for Adults with ADHD in 2021 and secured initial funding for these specialist teams. He noted that this initiative also aligns with the broader health priorities advanced by Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, ensuring continued investment in mental health services nationwide.

Minister Dillon highlighted the immediate support currently available, such as the six-week Understanding and Managing Adult ADHD Programme (UMAAP) run by ADHD Ireland, which received recurring funding last year and remains available to adults seeking support.

“Enhancement of specialist mental health services such as ADHD is a key priority for myself, the Government and the HSE. We are bridging a significant gap in our healthcare system and delivering tangible services that will improve lives across Mayo, Galway and Roscommon”, Minister Dillon concluded.

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