Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am in Leinster House. I thank the Minister and his staff for taking the time to meet us today and for the engagement. It is welcome. As previously mentioned, this is a tough, emotional and sensitive process for everyone involved, mothers and adopted persons. The Minister and previous speakers referred to counselling supports for those who want them. This is an important issue. Will information be provided regarding what supports are available? Will people be actively encouraged to avail of such supports?

All my questions relate to counselling. The Minister mentioned that the NCS is providing services for survivors of mother and baby homes. In future, what organisation will be responsible for providing this counselling? I ask that because we had representatives from Tusla before the committee and, as far as I remember, they thought Tusla would have to deliver this service. When I asked about capacity, they expressed concerns about whether Tusla had the required capacity to deliver such counselling supports. Which agency will be responsible for delivering counselling supports? Will financial resources be made available in that regard?

I will contextualise this issue in respect of a point made earlier. In February, we had a big announcement that €10 million would be provided for mental health support services in the context of Covid. That €10 million has not been spent yet. I am not blaming the Minister, but there has been much talk previously from other Departments about the provision of mental health supports without any substance to go with those announcements. Those are my questions for now. I may come back in later.