I propose to take Questions Nos. 1307 and 1308 together.
The National Counselling Service provides free counselling therapy to adults who experienced childhood abuse or neglect, are former residents of a mother and baby home. They also provide counselling to those with medical cards, through the Counselling in Primary Care service (CiPC).
As Minister I announced €2 million in funding in 2025 to provide access to a suite of new talk therapies and counselling supports specifically tailored for men. Access to the services began from September 2025.
This initiative is embedded within Ireland’s approach to mental health policy implementation. Sharing the Vision – A Mental Health Policy for Everyone, and Connecting for Life, Ireland’s national strategy for suicide prevention, clearly state that talk therapies should be considered a first-line treatment option for most people who experience mental health difficulties.
The funding is targeted at assisting with stigma reduction and to actively encourage men who otherwise would not usually avail of counselling to seek help with their mental health, to assist men in accessing mental health services, and to provide much-needed support for men experiencing a mental health crisis.
Data from the HSE indicates that Between October 1st 2025 and March 31st 2026, 2,766 men were referred for counselling with the HSE CIPC service, the majority (89%) referred by their GP. With 1,435 new counselling places were made available to men during this time
In the most recent Budget, funding was provided by myself as Minister for a new talking therapies fund for providing Community Therapy Services.
Outside of mental health services, HSE Primary Care services also provide key mental health supports, including psychology services.
I acknowledge the valuable work undertaken by community based counselling services across the country, such as Helplink.
Funding to voluntary and community organisations is arranged through the section 39 process via local HSE Mental Health Services, once necessary criteria are met and where a need has been identified. All such organisations must make an application for Section 39 funding, which is then assessed by local HSE Mental Health Services and will be advanced or not depending on a variety of conditions, such as the organisation supplying the required information, local operational and clinical considerations, and HSE budgetary constraints.
In any negotiations between HSE and any charity or organisation, information such as audited accounts, governance arrangements and independent board of directors details are required, so that HSE can undertake necessary due diligence. Local HSE are always available to provide guidance to any organisation on the necessary work to comply with the requirements ahead of consideration of HSE funding of their organisation.
Prior to any funding arrangement, the HSE need full and complete details on the corporate governance of an organisation, such as information on the board responsible for independent oversight of the management of an organisation, along with an organisation's annual financial statements which comply with the most recent statutory deadlines, as well as details of what clinical governance structures are in place.
These are essential and appropriate steps on the road to providing funding to any organisation. The HSE is not in a position to provide funding in the absence of information necessary to provide assurance on corporate and clinical governance. These are the same requirements of all bodies to whom the State provides public funding.
On 19th May I met with Helplink, along with Minister Grealish and my officials, to discuss the situation and various options to support them will be explored. Any HSE funding support could only occur subject to the requirements outlined above.
As you have raised operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to you as soon as possible.
