Written answers
Tuesday, 12 March 2019
Department of Health
Counselling Services Provision
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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333. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons who availed of the counselling in primary care service in each year since its inception; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11703/19]
Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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334. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of extending eligibility for the counselling in primary care service to all adult general practitioner card holders. [11705/19]
Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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The Counselling in Primary Care (CIPC) service was established in July 2013 to provide counselling for patients experiencing mild to moderate psychological difficulties who present in the primary care setting. All adults in receipt of a medical card are eligible for the service. Access to this service is by referral from the client's GP or a member of the Primary Care Team. All clients referred to CIPC are requested to opt into the service before they are allocated to a counsellor and an appointment is then offered.
Under Section 58 of the Health Act 1970 (as amended) the HSE can make available a GP visit card to eligible persons. This card enables eligible persons to visit a participating GP free of charge. No other health or social services, such as counselling, are provided by this card.
As of 1 February (latest figures available) 506,283 individuals hold eligibility for a GP visit card. This figure also includes GP visit cards which are provided on a discretionary basis.
As the part of this question in relation to full year costs is a service matter, I am referring that section to the HSE and I have asked them to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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335. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated full year cost of extending eligibility for the counselling in primary care service to all children whose families qualify for a medical card and to all children whose families qualify for a general practitioner card, respectively. [11706/19]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Counselling services for children in primary care aims to ensure that adolescents and young people with mild to moderate mental health needs can access services in their local communities in a timely manner. The service is suitable for children who are experiencing certain difficulties such as depression, anxiety, panic reactions, relationship problems, loss issues, stress. A medical card is not required in order to access these services.
A national pilot programme involving the recruitment of staff grade psychologists and assistant psychologists has been introduced in order to improve access to counselling services for children in primary care settings.
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