Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 15 June 2023

Committee on Public Petitions

Ombudsman for Children's Annual Report 2021: Office of the Ombudsman for Children

Dr. Niall Muldoon:

Correct. That is exactly it. It is really important that we look at both. Again, that can be dealt with. One does not need psychologists in there all the time. Different types of therapies and interventions can be done. Last year, I recommended that the national counselling service, which provides therapy for adults who have been sexually abused, could be used to provide a system of therapy for children who have suffered sexual abuse. This would take them off primary care as well. That could change. One could also have the counselling services that provide counselling in primary care. This provides therapy for adults who are referred by GPs. One could have a similar system where a GP could refer children to counselling close by within their area. The system is already set up. The clinical governance and the actual governance is available within those services. If they could be maximised for children, then one could start to move.