Dr. Niall Muldoon appointed CEO of Jigsaw
Dr. Niall Muldoon appointed CEO of Jigsaw
Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, has announced the appointment of Dr. Niall Muldoon as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, has announced the appointment of Dr. Niall Muldoon as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Niall joins Jigsaw following a distinguished career advocating for the rights and wellbeing of children and young people. Appointed Ombudsman for Children by President Michael D. Higgins on 17 February 2015, Niall is a counselling psychologist by training. He previously acted as National Clinical Director of the CARI Foundation, leading national supports for children and families affected by sexual abuse, before joining the Office of the Ombudsman for Children, initially as Director of Investigations, in 2012.
As Ombudsman for Children, Niall was a strong advocate for children and young people, working to ensure that their voices were heard and that their rights and best interests were reflected in decisions affecting their lives.
The appointment of Niall Muldoon follows the decision of Dr. Joseph Duffy to conclude his term as CEO of Jigsaw at the end of 2026, following ten years in the role and 15 years with the organisation.
During his leadership, Jigsaw has grown significantly in both scale and reach, while strengthening its position as a leading voice in youth mental health in Ireland and internationally.
Simonetta Ryan, Chair of the Jigsaw Board, said:
Continuing her quote, Simonetta added:
“Jigsaw has an important role to play in Ireland’s youth mental health landscape. Niall joins an organisation with a strong national presence, a highly committed workforce and a clear focus on providing accessible, early intervention support to young people.
In announcing Niall’s appointment, the Board of Jigsaw also acknowledges the significant contribution made by our outgoing CEO, Dr. Joseph Duffy. Joseph’s leadership has helped shape Jigsaw into the organisation it is today and has made a lasting contribution to the youth mental health landscape in Ireland. On behalf of the Board, our staff, volunteers, partners and the many young people who have engaged with Jigsaw, I wish Joseph every success for the next chapter of his career and look forward to celebrating his contribution further before he concludes his time with Jigsaw at the end of the year.”
Commenting on his appointment, Dr. Niall Muldoon said:
and communities across Ireland.
“Young people have a right to be heard and supported, particularly when they are experiencing difficulties with their mental health. I look forward to listening to young people and to Jigsaw colleagues, learning from their experience and working together to build on Jigsaw’s impact
in the years ahead.”
Jigsaw currently operates 16 services nationwide, providing free, confidential mental health support to young people aged 12 to 25 experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties. Following additional investment announced in Budget 2027, Jigsaw’s in-person services are expected to be available to more than 87% of Ireland’s youth population next year.
Jigsaw also provides a range of online, school and community-based supports, with a focus on early intervention and making mental health support accessible to young people when and where they need it.
Niall will take up the role in early February 2027.
Related news
A new dawn for youth mental health in Waterford
The opening of this new service is an important step forward for youth mental health in Waterford, giving young people access to Jigsaw’s free, conf...
Budget 2027: Jigsaw welcomes vital funding
Jigsaw welcomes today’s announcement of new funding for youth mental health services as a vital step towards nationwide support for young people.
Jigsaw’s vision for Budget 2027
More young people in Ireland are reaching out for mental health support than ever before. In the first half of 2026 alone, Jigsaw saw a 39% jump in re...