Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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127. To ask the Minister for Health her plans to expand eligibility for counselling in primary care in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10056/25]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Under Budget 2025, €2m was allocated to the National Counselling Service for the expansion of Counselling in Primary Care (CiPC).

CiPC offers a structured counselling programme of up to eight sessions, in addition to an initial assessment. The service is offered through a range of platforms (face to face; online; phone) to ensure ease of access for clients.

There is a strong evidence base for the clinical effectiveness of the service, as demonstrated by Changing Lives for the Better: A National Evaluation of the Counselling in Primary Care Service (2022).

In line with mental health policy and Sláintecare the long-term vision is to establish universal access to counselling. The funding allocated under Budget 2025 will allow mental health services to move in the direction of universal access by extending current eligibility.

All service users will benefit, but a particular focus will be placed on encouraging men to engage with counselling services.