Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not believe our amendment is prescriptive in terms of what persons would need. In fact, it is the opposite. We have indicated, and Senator Boyhan has indicated very eloquently, that people may need longer periods of time. The key point is that if a person is requesting counselling, he or she should be provided with that counselling within 90 days of such a request. To be clear, and it is important, that is not prescriptive in terms of the amount of counselling required or needed. It simply says that if a person reaches out, he or she should be provided with counselling in a relatively timely manner.

It is important in terms of relevant persons, and that needs to be looked at. Specifically, as the Minister has indicated, it is also important for parents, for example, where they may have a situation whereby they are unsure whether they will be contacted. That may be the initial issue on the basis of which they seek counselling support. Of course, the very fact somebody has fears in that regard may unpack some of the other fears or concerns they have relating to the experience they may have had. I am thinking, in particular, of mothers, although it is not exclusively mothers, who have had experiences in mother and baby homes.

In that regard I note that my amendment is not prescriptive in terms of the period for which such persons may require care. My amendment is prescriptive in saying that, within 90 days of having sought counselling support, such persons should receive counselling support. Nobody should go longer than three months in limbo, having said, and it is a difficult thing for people to admit, they need psychological support, nor should they go longer than that without being given a guarantee they will receive that support within 90 days. If you know help is coming, that is something, whereas if there is not a set period within which you are going to receive counselling support, it could feel indefinite and create a situation whereby persons feel alone. The Minister may not be open to the 90-day period and maybe he is interested in a different period. What I want is that persons who reach out and seek counselling support have that assurance that, within whatever period of time, they know they will receive that support rather than simply sending a request for psychological support with no idea of whether or when they will hear back.