Two decades after the Government’s landmark policy “A Vision for Change” promised a shift from large psychiatric institutions to modern, community-based care, the series asks whether that transformation has truly taken place. In the first programme on Monday 9th Februray, RTÉ Investigates uncovers how the criminalisation of mental illness treatment continues to affect individuals and their families.
Central to the reform was the establishment of a brand new Central Mental Hospital in Portrane in north Dublin. In Tuesday night’s programme, RTÉ Investigates questions whether the service has delivered the change that was promised in the face of growing waiting lists and ongoing concerns about how discharge decisions are made.
RTÉ Investigates: The Psychiatric Care Scandal
Episode 1 (Mon 9th Feb 2026) – 9.35pm
RTÉ Investigates examines Ireland’s mental health system and uncovers how the criminalisation of mental illness treatment leaves families and individuals impacted and abandoned by the State
Episode 2 (Tues 10th Feb 2026) 9.35pm
In this concluding episode of a new two-part series, RTÉ Investigates examines the Central Mental Health Hospital, and questions whether Ireland’s psychiatric and mental health service has delivered the changes that were promised by successive governments.
