Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress that has been made in providing funding for an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44957/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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This year I approved a grant of almost €172,000 from my Department's 2010 allocation of National Lottery funds to the organisation referred to by the Deputy.

It is very important to ensure that appropriate counselling is available to all those that the organisation supports. Both I and the HSE are anxious that all former patients of the consultant are made aware of the free counselling support that is available. The HSE has made arrangements for counselling support, using the National Counselling Service, which provides individual, couple, family, group and psychosexual counselling. Persons affected by these issues, but who do not wish to avail of counselling can also speak with a psychologist or counsellor in confidence. The need for additional support will be continuously monitored by the HSE.

The HSE has assigned co-ordinating responsibility for these matters to the Area Manager for Consumer Affairs in the North East who will continue to liaise as required with former patients and support groups.