Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 July 2026
470. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the imminent closure of a service (details supplied) in Castlebar, County Mayo on 30 June 2026; the engagement her Department or the HSE have had regarding this closure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50744/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra471. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the reason a service (details supplied) is closing while its Galway service has been permitted to continue on a temporary basis; whether the HSE was involved in this decision; and if any criteria or assessment informed the differential treatment of services in Mayo and Galway. [50491/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra472. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether an impact assessment has been carried out regarding the closure of a service (details supplied), specifically, the impact on service users in rural parts of County Mayo, including Achill, Erris, and Blacksod; and if not, if such an assessment will now be undertaken as a matter of urgency. [50492/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra473. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the alternative counselling and psychotherapy supports available in County Mayo for individuals currently accessing a service (details supplied); the current waiting times for these services; and whether she is satisfied that there is sufficient capacity to meet demand following the closure. [50493/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra475. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether concerns have been raised with the HSE regarding governance, communication, and decision making within a service (details supplied); whether the HSE has sought clarification from the board of the service in relation to these matters; and if any conditions are attached to current or future funding. [50495/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra476. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the funding provided to a service (details supplied) in 2024, 2025, and to date in 2026; whether additional funding options were explored to prevent the closure of the Castlebar service and if further funding or supports can be made available to restore the service. [50496/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra477. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether any proposals from local stakeholders, including public representatives, counsellors, and community groups, to retain a service (details supplied) were considered; whether the HSE engaged with these stakeholders; and the reason these proposals did not result in a continuation of services. [50497/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra478. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the basis on which a service (details supplied) has been permitted to continue operating until September; whether there is a longer-term plan for this service; and if similar temporary measures could be applied to restore services in Mayo. [50498/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra479. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health the immediate actions that can be taken to prevent a gap in service provision in County Mayo following 30 June; whether emergency or interim supports will be put in place; and if she will urgently engage with the HSE and a service (details supplied) to secure continuity of care. [50499/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra480. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of any other counselling service in County Mayo offering a seven-day, 9am–9pm model similar to a service (details supplied); and if not, the plans to provide equivalent accessible services. [50500/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra481. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Health whether the HSE has received complaints or concerns regarding the communication practices of a service (details supplied) in relation to service users and staff; and if oversight mechanisms will be strengthened to ensure transparency in publicly funded services. [50501/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Question No 470,471,472,473,475,476,477,478,479,480 and 481 together.
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 are being explored by the HSE and my Department. Any HSE funding support could only occur subject to the requirements outlined above.
As your PQs referenced operational matters, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to you.
