Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, United Left)
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496. To ask the Minister for Health if counselling services are provided, free of charge, as part of the public mental health service, in view of the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 10. [8274/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The HSE Mental Health Division, as part of the requirement under the Programme for Government to increase access to counselling and psychotherapy developed the National Counselling Service - Counselling in Primary Care Service (CIPC). This was launched in July 2013 as part of the programme for government investment in mental health in 2012 and 2013 and is one of a range of initiatives taken by the HSE to build the capacity of primary care to respond to mental health needs appropriate to primary care. At the end of September 2014, there were 10,601 referrals to the CIPC services, with 1,683 individuals receiving counselling and 31,232 sessions offered.

Counselling is also provided by a range of voluntary organisations across the health service and within the HSE Mental Health Division the National Office for Suicide Prevention funds voluntary organisations such as Pieta House and Console to provide support across a range of needs.

Within the specialist secondary care mental health services, counselling and psychotherapy is provided within community mental health teams when service users are clinically assessed as requiring this intervention and is provided by a health professional on the team.

In relation to the specific case raised, as this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my private office and they will follow up with them.