Liz O'Donnell
Ceist:133 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health if, given the increase in the demand and provision of counselling services, there are any regulatory or supervisory procedures in place governing this profession.
Written Answers. - Counselling Services.
Counselling services are provided by a wide range of persons. Many of these are members of recognised professions who provide counselling as part of their normal duties. Others, many on a voluntary basis, provide what might be described as counselling in a wide variety of settings. The only formally recognised grade of counsellor in the public health service is that of alcoholism counsellor. There is no agreed definition of the generic term "counsellor" and this would make the process of regulation and supervision extremely dificult, if not impossible.