Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 April 2004
108 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the support available for the medical, including psychiatric, costs of survivors of child abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10341/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the Taoiseach's apology in May 1999 a strategy was put in place to assist those who, as children, suffered abuse in residential institutions. Part of this strategy included the provision of counselling free of charge through the National Counselling Service. The National Counselling Service was established in 2000 because of the fact that no such national service existed prior to this and it is open to all victims of child abuse with priority being given to those who were resident in institutions as children.
It is recognised that not all survivors of institutional abuse would be willing or in a position to attend a State run counselling service. As a result my Department provides funding for private counselling for survivors of institutional abuse who are resident in Ireland and who do not wish to avail of this service. A counselling service, provided by Immigrant Counselling and Psychotherapy, ICAP, is also funded in the UK for those survivors who are resident there. Funding for private counselling is available to residents in the UK who were abused as children in institutions here but who do not wish to attend ICAP services and for those who are now residing in countries other than Ireland and the UK.
In relation to other services, survivors access the existing health services. From time to time an exceptional case arises where a service is not available, and the question of providing financial support is examined on a case by case basis in my Department.
