Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for responding to my Commencement matter. I appreciate that she has outlined the progress made in terms of what the registration board must examine. However, I am concerned that no timeline was mentioned in the response she was given by the Department of Health. The reality is that while we await proper and appropriate accreditation, there is nothing to stop me, her or anybody else with no qualification or training from opening a counselling service tomorrow morning. That is a danger to which members of the are exposed.

As I mentioned, in the absence of the HSE being able to refer people who need counselling and psychotherapy reports, people on waiting lists are accessing medication as a support. Obviously medication has its place but in the majority of cases talk therapy gets to the root of the problem. I honestly believe we have a mental health crisis and not only based on some of the statistics I mentioned. This issue must be a priority for the Government and Minister for Health. I would appreciate if the Minister of State conveyed that message and asked for the coherent and cogent timelines we would expect.