Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)

I move amendment No. 14:

In page 11, between lines 7 and 8, to insert the following:

"(3) Counselling services shall continue to be available to all former residents and they will be entitled to select their own counsellor, subject to their professional qualifications being recognised by the relevant professional body.".

The purpose of this proposal, which was discussed on Committee Stage, is to copperfasten the rights of former residents to avail of a counsellor of their choice, subject to the requirement in respect of appropriate professional qualifications. The Bill is structured in such a way as to minimise the amount of money required to fulfil its objectives. It prioritises the use of public services, for instance, with which I have no difficulty, in order to avoid unnecessary wastage. However, the imperative to restrict expenditure as far as possible cannot justify encroaching in any way on the individual's right to choose a counsellor of his or her choice. I have had a litany of correspondence from individuals recounting how much they benefited from their work with a particular counsellor or how many years they lost through attempting to deal with a counsellor who was not right for them. The ability to choose one's counsellor should be included in the Bill as a right. The way in which it is currently framed, however, could give rise to a scenario where that right is diluted. Survivors themselves are the best people to ascertain which particular counsellor will best help them to work through their difficulties. Money or other issues should not stand in the way where survivors have developed a good rapport with a particular counsellor. This amendment provides an additional level of protection in that regard.

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