A pilot initiative under ‘A Policing Service for the Future’ aimed at assisting people who are experiencing situational trauma or a mental health crisis was launched earlier today, Monday 7th October 2024. The project entitled Community Access Support Team (CAST) is a partnership between An Garda Síochána and Mental Health Services HSE Mid West and will be trialled in the Limerick Garda Division later this year. Supported by the Department of Justice and the Department of Health, the pilot comprises of intervention, prevention and outreach with the potential to yield a better outcome for persons experiencing a mental health crisis or situational trauma. The CAST team will be based at Henry Street Garda Station and will aim to reduce future presentations and interactions with Gardaí or other blue light emergency services, through community follow-ups and the case management of complex cases. Speaking at the launch at Limerick Twenty Thirty’s Gardens International, Henry Street, Limerick city, Assistant Commissioner of the Southern Region Eileen Foster said, "We are delighted to partner with the HSE, the Department of Justice and the Department of Health on the CAST Pilot Initiative. This is an important pilot project that will aim to alleviate harm for persons facing trauma or mental health crises and support families and our communities in general. Every day, Gardaí encounter many vulnerable persons facing extremely challenging circumstances. CAST is yet another example of An Garda Síochána working closely and innovatively with partner agencies to help people and communities, as outlined as a key tenet of ‘A Policing Service for the Future’, and will help ensure these vulnerable persons access the right care at the right time.” Sandra Broderick, Regional Executive Officer, HSE Mid West, said, "Person-centred service delivery at the point of least complexity is a core principle of Sláintecare and the CAST model is in keeping with this. The approach of the CAST team will also be trauma-informed, recognising that a significant proportion of our service users have had trauma in their lives and that what they have endured is often a root cause of their presentation. CAST is also very conscious of improving the connection between the services and the loved ones of people in distress. The CAST pilot provides for a social care worker to follow up with those closest to the service user and who so very often can be active partners in recovery and healing.” Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler, said, "I welcome this new and innovative CAST Pilot Project between An Garda Síochána and the HSE here in Limerick. This joint initiative will bring more focused inter-agency care as envisaged under our national mental health policy Sharing the Vision and the Final Report of the High Level Taskforce on Mental Health and Addiction. A key priority will be to divert a small but highly vulnerable group within our society away from prison and towards the healthcare system, through improved sustained engagement with key services. The Pilot Project is designed to reduce stigma and promote recovery for service users. I was particularly pleased to learn that those with lived experience contributed to developing the Pilot. This project exemplifies the commitment of Government to improve all aspects of our Mental Health Services, which was reinforced by the record funding of nearly €1.5 billion that I secured for Mental Health under Budget 2025.” James Browne, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Justice for Law Reform, International Law and Youth Justice, said, "The launch of the Community Access Support Team (CAST) marks a significant step forward on the progress of recommendations set out by the High Level Task Force and the Commission of the Future of Policing in Ireland (COFPI). "This pilot, encompassing intervention, prevention and outreach, is the first of its kind for Ireland. When a relevant 999 call has been triaged, the on-scene response brings together members of An Garda Síochána, the HSE and the wider CAST Team. This approach reflects the shared goal of providing a compassionate and effective response to people in distress, and by offering the right support when it is most needed, reducing the likelihood of future offending and building safer communities overall. "Over the duration of the pilot, we will continue to support the integration and collaboration across the services operating in the Limerick Garda Division and to gather the research to further understand the needs of those who interact with the criminal justice system.” Kieran O’Donnell, TD, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, said, "The CAST pilot brings together the vital services of An Garda Síochána and the Mental Health Services HSE Mid West to offer dedicated support to vulnerable people at very challenging times in their lives. "I am delighted to welcome this new and innovative project pilot to Limerick, with the CAST team based here in Henry Street Garda Station.” The CAST project is based on significant international evidence and experience demonstrating improved outcomes for adults requiring the intervention of a policing response at times of a mental health crisis or situational trauma. An initiative under ‘A Policing Service for the Future’, it follows extensive engagement between An Garda Síochána and the HSE with Crisis Intervention Team members in other jurisdictions, and those with lived experience of engaging with the Gardaí at times of a mental health crisis. The CAST project comprises two modes of delivery to people in crisis and/or situational trauma within the Limerick Garda Division. These are: 1 - Crisis Response A co-response will be provided by An Garda Síochána and Mental Health Services in the HSE Mid West to respond to relevant 999 calls that have been triaged. During the pilot phase, the hours of service provision will vary and include day and out of hours working. The on-scene crisis response will involve trained members of An Garda Síochána working with their existing operational unit and supported by an assigned Clinical Nurse Specialist and other members of the CAST Team. The CAST team will be based in Henry Street Garda Station during working hours and will follow up with individuals based on needs identified during co-response. When not responding to calls, these staff will be completing work associated with the project such as linking in with external agencies, outreach to homeless and addiction services, following up on previous call-outs and providing ongoing intervention based on need. Over the last number of months AGS Limerick has undertaken numerous training courses with the training element of CAST holding a core component of the pilot and will see 60 Gardaí with specialist training in the Limerick Division. Two electric vehicles have been provided to the CAST team and will be operated by Garda members working on the project in the Limerick Division. 2 - Community Support Forum At the heart of the CAST pilot project is the establishment of a Multi-Agency Support Forum in Limerick. This forum comprises of identified statutory agencies and approved support services. An independent person from the local authority, Limerick City and County Council, chairs the forum which will meet on a monthly basis. The aim of the forum is to provide an integrated approach to working with persons in crises. The CAST team will be staffed by HSE Mid West professionals and members of An Garda Síochána, both located at Henry Street Garda and working collaboratively. The CAST team will consist of: - Clinical Nurse Specialist - Social Care Worker - Senior Social Work Practitioner - Sergeant (Community Planning) - Two Gardaí (Vulnerability Navigator) - Administrative Support Co-responders will be trained members of AGS Limerick working normal rostered tours who will take up duty with HSE resources or with another trained co-responder. It's envisioned this pilot project will provide a better experience for the individual in crisis/situational trauma and their families, delivering support and intervention at the right time, right place and with the appropriate service. It's also envisioned the partnership will: - Enhance partnership with those in healthcare and policing - Reduce Emergency department admissions and acute presentations by directing to a more appropriate service - Deliver community orientated care in line with Sláintecare (Government of Ireland 2019) - Reduction in the number of arrests under the Mental Health Act 2001 - Improve officers’ confidence and skills in responding to people with mental illness - Increase the utility of criminal diversion - Respond to a clear recommendation of The Future of Policing in Ireland Report (Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland 2018) - Bring stakeholders together, develop a programme tailored to the community, implement training, support interagency agreements and provide ongoing collaboration An evaluation of the project will be supported research with University of Limerick and is a vital part of the pilot in order to provide a reasoning for continuation of the project or to adapt the design. | 