Vol. 514 No. 2
82 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will ask the Eastern Health Board to provide funding over the next five years, and beyond if necessary, to assist a community counselling service (details supplied) in Dublin 8 in order that it can continue its worthy, necessary and cost effective services to the community. [3784/00]
It is a matter for the Eastern Health Board to determine and prioritise its service requirements in terms of service needs. I understand that the Eastern Health Board has recently introduced a new procedures and policy statement in relation to the criteria governing the funding of voluntary counselling services. These procedures are aimed at ensuring quality and standardisation and include such criteria as qualification of staff, vetting procedures, child protection policy and assessment of need. The Eastern Health Board has informed me that details of this policy and an application form will be sent to the counselling service concerned.
