asked the Minister for Health with reference to the proposed closure of the Incest Crisis Centre and the Psychotherapy Centre in Mountpleasant, Ranelagh, Dublin 6 because of lack of funds, if his attention has been drawn to the deprivation suffered by people in the lower income group who are suffering intolerable strain in trying to take control over their own lives without recourse to drugs, alcohol or other undersirable ways of relieving stress; if he will ensure that these cuts will be reversed; and if he will reconsider his decision in this regard.
Written Answers. - Stress Control Services Centre.
165.
The Incest Crisis Service, which is a voluntary group offering a limited telephone and counselling service, received financial support from the Department of Social Welfare following a recommendation from my Department. The co-ordinator of the Incest Crisis Service notified my Department in April of this year that a decision had been taken that the service should close and that further funding would not be sought. I might add that other services are in existence which meet similar client needs.
The provision of psychotherapy services at Mountpleasant, Ranelagh, is a matter for the Eastern Health Board. I have had inquiries made of the board and I have been informed that the board's policy is that the provision of psychotherapy services is an integral part of the catchment area psychiatric service. Over the years the psychotherapy unit at Mountpleasant provided a central service for the Eastern Health Board area but following consultation with the clinical directors, this service will now be provided on a catchment area rather than on a regional basis. This change relates to service developments and not to lack of funds.