Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Members for their contributions and for bringing this vital piece of infrastructure in Galway, and the challenges facing it, to my attention.

Mental health is a key care programme for this Government. Reflecting the priority we attach to this, HSE mental health funding increased from €826 million in 2016 to over €850 million this year. That will enable the continued development of a range of services including adult, child and adolescent, forensic and specialist services in mental health. In particular, €5 million has been provided to extend the counselling in primary care, CIPC, programme to under 18s.

The counselling in primary care, CIPC, initiative, launched in June 2013, is a national service provided under the governance framework of the national counselling service of the HSE. Short-term counselling is provided for adults with non-complex psychological problems aged 18 and over, and who hold a valid medical card. Referral into the service is by the person’s general practitioner, GP, or another member of the primary care team.

CIPC is a short-term counselling service that provides up to eight counselling sessions with a professionally qualified and accredited counsellor or therapist. Within the specialist secondary care mental health service counselling and psychotherapy is provided within community mental health teams, when service users are clinically assessed as requiring this intervention. Counselling is also provided by a range of voluntary organisations across the health service, and the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention funds voluntary organisations such as Pieta House to provide support across a range of needs.

The provision of a quality counselling service across both primary and secondary care will be developed further, as resources permit. In the first instance, the HSE mental health division must ensure that the funding currently allocated is being used to best effect to deliver the best outcomes. I understand that Youth Work Ireland is a counselling service based in County Galway. It was formed in 2011 to deliver a youth counselling service. The group works closely with Jigsaw, Galway adult counselling HSE, primary care clinical psychology HSE and the Galway Traveller Movement. Counselling is also specifically provided for young people aged 12 to 21 years, delivered over a period of 38 weeks annually. Currently, the service is based in Galway city, Tuam, Ballinasloe and Loughrea. The counsellors who deliver the service are fully accredited and suitably qualified to work with adolescents.

Funding had originally been provided for a three year period by St. Vincent De Paul, as well as other sources such as Electric Aid, local schools, etc. This time-limited funding stream ceased last year. The local HSE resource office for suicide prevention provided €15,000 to ensure continuity of this service. The executive has recently committed to providing the same amount for 2017, in addition to a smaller funding contribution to the group from Tusla. I understand that the HSE is reviewing the position of the group, including the concerns raised by the Deputies.

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