Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Smith. I am delighted that he has raised this issue. It is not something that we get to discuss very much. It is only when people are bereaved that they use these supports. It is important that people know they are available.

Responsibility for bereavement counselling and associated services lies across a variety of services areas. This is why it can be confusing for people. The national counselling service, NCS, is an essential part of the HSE's mental health provision and provides a professional and confidential counselling and psychotherapy service. The service is available in all HSE community health areas and operates from more than 240 locations throughout Ireland.

In 2021 I launched the national suicide bereavement support guide. Developed by a working group of individuals bereaved by suicide and HSE resource officers for suicide prevention, the guide is now a cornerstone of informative level 1 bereavement support. Counselling support is provided at four different levels. Level 1 is HSE public health information campaigns. The HSE website details useful information and resources for the general public on grief and bereavement. Level 2 is the Irish Hospice Foundation's bereavement support line. This is staffed by trained volunteers to provide a listening and support service. The service is available from Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The NCS has collaborated with the Irish Hospice Foundation, which can signpost callers to HSE counselling services where appropriate.

Level 3 is counselling in primary care. The HSE NCS counselling in primary care, CIPC, service is available in each county in Ireland. It provides generic counselling for mild to moderate psychological distress. It is accessible only to GMS patients who are referred by GPs and other health professionals. A contract for an initial assessment and eight counselling sessions is offered. Bereavement loss is a significant reason for referrals to CIPC. I will come back on the rest of the questions the Deputy has asked.

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