Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health, Deputy Butler, I thank the Senator for raising this important matter.

The Minister of State is very familiar with the work of Save Our Sons and Daughters, SOSAD, which makes a significant contribution to counselling service provision in north-east Leinster and the midlands. It is important that is acknowledged. SOSAD is currently funded by HSE Louth-Meath mental health services. The Minister of State is aware that in August 2023, SOSAD applied for section 39 funding. This was not progressed at the time because the HSE Louth-Meath mental health service was not procuring new services in 2023 or 2024 and all funding had been allocated in line with the HSE national service plan. I understand that last year, SOSAD’s financial situation deteriorated as fundraising and donations were reducing. This was brought to the attention of the Minister of State in the autumn and she met SOSAD in November 2024, along with officials from the Department of Health, to discuss the situation. Funding to organisations such as SOSAD is arranged through the section 39 scheme administered by the local HSE mental health services. Following the meeting, the Minister of State requested that HSE Louth-Meath make contact with SOSAD to outline the requirements it would have to fulfil in order for any potential funding application to be considered.

HSE Louth-Meath has been in direct contact with SOSAD for approximately four months and the Minister of State’s office receives regular updates on their engagements. As per any negotiations between the HSE and any charity or organisation, information such as audited accounts, annual reports, governance arrangements and board of management details are required so that the HSE can undertake due diligence as part of consideration of any potential funding arrangements.HSE Louth-Meath has requested information on corporate and clinical governance from SOSAD in line with HSE policies and has provided guidance on work SOSAD may need to undertake to comply with these requirements before the HSE can consider making public funding available to the organisation.

We all appreciate the good work SOSAD has done and is doing. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, works hard each year to increase the amount of funding for counselling and suicide prevention services in our communities. However, the Department of Health and the HSE will always require due diligence and appropriate oversight before funding, which is taxpayers' money, can be transferred to any organisation. With the best will in the world it remains the case that, prior to any funding arrangement, the HSE will need full and complete details on the corporate governance of the organisation such as information on the board responsible for the independent oversight of the management of an organisation and what clinical governance structures are in place. This is particularly important for any organisation that would potentially be providing talk therapies to vulnerable people on behalf of the HSE and as a recipient of public funding.