Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2012
569. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made on advancing the commitment in the Health Service Executive Service Plan 2012; if he will enhance access to psychotherapy and counselling services for those eligible for the GMS; the level of funding set aside in the health budget for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53751/12]
View answer575. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made on advancing the commitment in the Health Service Executive Service Plan 2012; if he will enhance access to psychotherapy and counselling service for those eligible for the GMS; the level of funding set aside in the health budget for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
View answer579. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the way psychotherapists apply to provide subsidised therapy to patients eligible for the medical card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53823/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 569, 575 and 579 together.
In its National Service Plan (NSP) for 2012, the HSE prioritised three initiatives from the special allocation of €35m provided in Budget 2012 for Mental Health to implement the objectives of the Programme for Government, to progress the implementation of A Vision for Change and among other things to provide access to counselling and psychotherapy for those with mental health problems who are eligible under the General Medical Services (GMS) Scheme in Primary Care. In this context, the NSP 2012 provides for the replication nationally of the model operational in the HSE's North East Area, managed by the National Counselling Service (NCS), as a way of meeting the requirement to improve access to psychological therapies in Primary Care. The cost of this extended service has been estimated at €5 million annually.
To implement the model nationally, an additional Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) counsellor will be allocated to each of the 10 National Counselling Services. These counsellors will work within the NCS, managing the referral process, to ensure that an appropriate referral and counselling match is provided to meet the needs of individuals. The 10 posts were advertised recently for a national panel. Interviews have now been completed and the results will be issued shortly. The start dates for these posts are expected to be in early 2013 to allow for the process of checking references etc.
The actual counselling services required will be procured through the two employment agencies that hold the existing national contracts with the HSE and counsellors will be recruited through a two stage process. The employment agencies will select counsellors using their own selection process with reference to qualifications and identify them as suitable for the service. The HSE will then quality assure the proposed counsellors in terms of professional skills and knowledge prior to entering into the service. Discussions with the contracted agencies have already begun on these points. It is expected that this new service will begin to be rolled out early next year when the 10 coordinator counsellors are in place. With regard to the level of funding for mental health next year, this is being considered as part of the Estimates and budgetary process for 2013 which is currently underway.
