Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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615. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way in which a person (details supplied) who is a survivor of a mother and baby home can access counselling to deal with the aftermath of events that occurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44738/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I recognise the importance of ensuring former residents’ mental health is prioritised and supported. In preparing for the publication of the final report of the Commission on Mother and Baby Homes, I have highlighted the counselling supports available to those who may feel they need additional support.

The National Counselling Service is a specialist service with 20 years of experience in providing counselling and psychotherapy to a wide range of clients including those who have experienced psychological difficulties due to time spent in institutions. Counselling is available face to face, by telephone or online through secure video. Access to the National Counselling Service for former residents may be made by direct self-referral or by written referrals from health care professionals, such as GPs.

I have engaged with the Minister for Health on these matters and I can confirm that steps have been taken to ensure that the National Counselling Service will be available to provide responsive and timely services for any person who needs professional counselling support during this time. Relevant contact details are included as follows. These services are free and details have also been published on my Department's website.

The National Counselling Service is available from Monday to Friday between 9.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Details of the National Counselling Service and contact details for each area are listed as follows.

In addition, an out of hours service, Connect Counselling, is also available to provide support and is currently providing an enhanced service from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. every day (7 days a week). This service is staffed by a professional team experienced in the work of past trauma and in particular childhood trauma. This service is generally available between 6pm and 10 p.m. Monday through to Sunday on 1800 477 477.

A new webpage with all relevant information for former residents of Mother and Baby Homes has been set-up by the HSE at:

www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/mental-health-services/national-counselling-service/counselling-service-for-former-residents-of-mother-and-baby-homes

Additional mental health supports provided/funded by the HSE are also available to former residents. Details of these supports are available on www.yourmentalhealth.ie

For persons living in the UK, the Immigrant Counselling and Psychotherapy service (ICAP) run a counselling and psychotherapy service for survivors of institutional abuse which is available to survivors. It is funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE), Ireland and is provided free of charge. ICAP have many years of experience in providing psychotherapy for adult survivors of institutional abuse and their families and can be contacted on 0207 272 7906 or email clinicaladmin@icap.org.uk.