Written answers

Tuesday, 5 July 2016

Department of Health

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Photo of Ruth CoppingerRuth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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573. To ask the Minister for Health his discussions regarding the charity Console and the funding it received; if he has asked the Health Service Executive or his Department to audit the funding given; the safeguard provisions he is putting in place for the services provided by this charity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19731/16]

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Console is one of the charities part-funded through the HSE’s National Office for Suicide Prevention, to provide counselling, therapy and support services to people who have been bereaved by suicide. The National Office for Suicide Prevention funds over 40 individual organisations (including Console) and co-ordinates suicide prevention initiatives around the country.

Funding of €625,000 (approximately) was provided to Console in 2015 through the National Office for Suicide Prevention. Funding for previous years was as follows:

2011 - €239,522

2012 - €252,114

2013 - €598,557

2014 - €855,227

2015 - €622,204.

The HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention funded Console €53,583 each month for the first six months of 2016. This funding was for their Counselling Services, Helpline and their Family Liaison Bereavement Service.

In addition, lottery funding of €50,000 and €75,000 was provided to Console by the Department of Health in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Console also raises a substantial amount of funding through charitable and private sources.

As the internal audit is now completed, the HSE is presently considering the most appropriate line of action following the recent response of the Agency to the audit findings. All communications with Console continue to be conducted by the HSE according to proper audit processes, and having regard to appropriate legal procedures. In addition, the Charities Regulatory Authority and the UK Charities Regulator are both engaging with Console arising from the findings of the HSE audit. In addition, the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement and the Garda Síochána are also engaged with the Agency as a result of these findings. Finally, two independent experts have been appointed by Console arising from the findings of the audit conveyed to the agency.

I am aware of the importance of the services provided by Console, and the importance of ensuring that these are not impacted by the on-going issues. These services continue to be available, including the Freefone 24/7 Helpline. The HSE is in contact with the two independent experts appointed by Console, and the Executive is also considering alternative arrangements for services provided by the agency, if this is deemed necessary. Consideration by the HSE of alternative service options has been underway in parallel with the audit process. Mr John Farrelly, the CEO of the Charities Regulator has appointed additional trustees to Console to govern the charity through this time.

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