Minister Butler confirms full operational bed capacity at Central Mental Hospital
- Bed capacity has increased by over 40% from 93 to 130 since move to the new state-of-the-art facility
- Additional specialist capacity to be provided through phased opening of the Intensive Care Rehabilitation Unit
Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler TD, today announced that the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) has reached full operational bed capacity, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing development of the National Forensic Mental Health Service (NFMHS).
Since relocating to its new purpose-built facility in Portrane, Co. Dublin, in November 2022, the capacity of the CMH has increased from 93 to 130 beds, representing an increase of more than 40%. This expansion has been delivered on a phased basis and forms part of the Government’s commitment to strengthening access to specialist forensic mental health services.
Reaching full operational bed capacity at the CMH represents a major step in the development of the wider NFMHS campus, which comprises a 170-bed forensic mental health complex, including the Central Mental Hospital, a 30-bed Intensive Care Rehabilitation Unit (ICRU), and a 10-bed Forensic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Unit.
Building on this progress, the next stage of development will see the phased opening of the new 30-bed Intensive Care Rehabilitation Unit beginning by the end of 2026. The ICRU, made up of two 15-bed units, will provide additional specialist rehabilitation capacity for patients with the most complex needs and further enhance the range of services available within the NFMHS.
Since 2025, Minister Butler has secured a total of €4.9 million in ringfenced additional funding for the NFMHS, comprising €2.1 million under Budget 2025 and €2.8 million under Budget 2026. The NFMHS now has a total staffing complement of 580 whole-time-equivalents, of which 532 are dedicated to the CMH. This investment has supported the delivery of full operational capacity in the Central Mental Hospital and is enabling the phased opening of the Intensive Care Rehabilitation Unit.
Minister Butler said:
“Every person experiencing severe mental illness should have access to comprehensive, recovery-oriented mental health services that meet their needs. Reaching full operational capacity in the Central Mental Hospital is a significant milestone for the National Forensic Mental Health Service and reflects our commitment to ensuring that people can access the specialist care they require.”
“I am also pleased that the next phase of development is now well underway, with the phased opening of the state-of-the-art Intensive Care Rehabilitation Unit due to commence by the end of 2026. This additional capacity will further strengthen forensic mental health services and support better outcomes for patients with the most complex needs.”
Minister Butler, the Department of Health and the HSE remain committed to the continued expansion of capacity within the National Forensic Mental Health Service, in line with the objectives of Sharing the Vision: A Mental Health Policy for Everyone (2020-2030), which seeks to deliver more person-centred, accessible and recovery-focused mental health services.