Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2026
673. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the time limits in place for counselling services for survivors and former residents of mother and baby institutions via the National Counselling Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46876/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Counselling Service (NCS) provides free counselling therapy to adults who experienced childhood abuse or neglect, are former residents of a mother and baby home.
Former residents of mother and baby homes are seen within the framework of the service which offers long term counselling contracts where clinically indicated. The number of sessions offered depends on assessed needs and whether counselling is a clinically appropriate intervention for the client.
The NCS carries out an initial assessment with each client to consider whether counselling is appropriate for the clients presenting needs. Following assessment if counselling is deemed appropriate and if the client wishes to progress, a counselling contract will be offered.
The HSE service model is to contract with the client for an initial period of 6 sessions with a planned review. This allows an opportunity to see if counsellor and client can work together, to see if counselling is the right intervention, is helpful and appropriate for the client at this time.
Following review at 6 sessions, if it is agreed between client and counsellor that counselling is helpful, counselling will continue with regular reviews of progress. In general clients are offered up to 25 sessions however this can be extended where clinically indicated (e.g. the client is actively engaged in the therapeutic process, is making progress, and there are significant/complex clinical issues that require further intervention).
It is also possible that following a review it is decided that counselling is not helpful, for instance if counselling is not progressing, or if another intervention or service is identified as more appropriate to a person’s needs. This may happen if the person requires more intensive multi-disciplinary support such as that provided by community mental health services, or a need to attend addiction treatment for example.
In these situations a decision may be made to conclude the counselling contract with the NCS. This is generally a collaborative decision with the client.
It is also the case that some clients choose not to avail of the counselling sessions being offered for a variety of reasons (such as a lack of availability to attend, reluctance to open up painful emotional issues) and they may terminate counselling after a few sessions. These clients are always offered the opportunity to re-attend in the future should they change their mind.
In summary, the service is tailored to individual client needs, and decisions regarding the number of counselling sessions offered can vary between clients based on their individual circumstances and their capacity to engage in counselling at the time they are referred. The majority of former residents of mother and baby homes who are referred attend for at least 25 sessions with extended contracts offered to a significant number.
