The Government is engaging with the HSE to resolve the planned closure of Donegal’s only non-profit child and adolescent counselling service.
The Minister of State with responsibility for Mental Health Mary Butler, TD has said she is exploring options after a funding shortfall forced the Raphoe Diocesan Pastoral Services CLG to end services across the county.
The government has been urged to intervene after an announcement from the board said that it will cease to operate in mid-March due to a lack of funding for leadership staff. The decision has sent shockwaves through communities that rely on support services for young people.
The issue was raised with the Minister Butler today by Independent TD Thomas Pringle, who said the situation is an “absolute disgrace”.
Deputy Pringle said: “Not only has the counselling service been used, it has grown hugely, with over 15,000 counselling sessions provided in the last six years alone, by 26 counsellors across seven outreach centres, including Letterkenny, Dunfanaghy, Stranorlar, Buncrana and Creeslough.
“The government cannot say in its budgets and its press releases that mental health is a priority while at the same time allowing Tusla and the HSE to not only refuse funding, but to actively strip away a vital service providing young people with counselling,” he said.
The deputy raised the issue during questions on policy or legislation.
Deputy Pringle said: “Who decided that such an essential service was not worthy of funding, and will you reverse that decision straight away, knowing that the cessation of this service will create a dangerous void in the provision of mental health services for young people in Donegal?”
In her response, Minister Mary Butler said she spoke with the assistant national director for services in relation to this issue this morning. She said she is awaiting a briefing from CHO1 and will engage with the services and see what can be done to resolve the issue.