Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I apologise that written replies were not available until now. I do not know what glitch caused this but we will ensure this does not happen in future. I will be taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy James Reilly and I thank the Deputy for raising this matter.

In 2010, a grant of almost €172,000 was approved from the Department of Health and Children's allocation of national lottery funds to Dignity 4 Patients. This was given towards the cost of providing information and support to victims of abuse wishing to attend the Drogheda review. This independent review was established by the then Minister for Health and Children to advise on whether any additional information or insights were likely to be achieved from a further full investigation. A former High Court judge, Mr. Justice T.C. Smyth, was appointed chair of this review. The report recommended that a further investigation should not be held and, to avoid prejudicing any civil or criminal cases, the report should not be published.

The Attorney General concurred with this advice but agreed that a short summary of the report could be prepared and published. Accordingly, the Department, in consultation with the Attorney General and Mr. Justice Smyth, prepared a summary which was sent for information to two patient support groups, including Dignity 4 Patients, in January 2011.

An application for funding for the current year has been received by the Department from Dignity 4 Patients. The HSE has also received an application for funding. The Minister is considering the application to his Department having regard to the services that the HSE already provides for victims of abuse. It is most important that any services supported by departmental funding are fully compatible and supportive of similar services provided by the HSE. The Minister will consider Dignity 4 Patients' request with that in mind.

It is also very important to ensure that appropriate counselling is available to all those who wish to avail of it. Both the Minister and the HSE are anxious that all former patients of the consultant are made aware of the free counselling support that is available. The HSE has arrangements in place for counselling support using the National Counselling Service, which provides individual, couple, family, group and psychosexual counselling. The NCS employs more than 70 counsellors and therapists who are highly qualified and experienced in working with developmental trauma. Clients can refer themselves directly by calling a free phone number. This service is a professional, confidential, counselling and psychotherapy service available free of charge in all regions of the HSE.

Persons affected by these issues, but who do not wish to avail of counselling, can also speak with a psychologist or counsellor in confidence. The need for additional support will be continually monitored by the HSE. The HSE has assigned co-ordinating responsibility for these matters to the regional manager for consumer affairs in the north east, who will continue to liaise as required with former patients and support groups.

The Minister will respond to the application from Dignity 4 Patients as soon as possible when he has had an opportunity to examine the matter fully. I thank Deputy Nash for raising this matter.

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