Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 September 2021
233. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason his Department offers civil servants an employee assistance service but this service cannot offer free counselling sessions to staff, some of whom cannot afford to pay for this vital service privately; if he will remedy this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44733/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Civil Service Employee Assistance Service (CSEAS) offers free and confidential support to employees who are experiencing personal and/or work related difficulties that are impacting their wellbeing. The CSEAS provides one-to-one sessional support to civil servants, both face to face and online, addressing a broad and complex array of issues that affect the mental and emotional health of employees, including family and relationship difficulties, stress, anxiety, grief, depression, coping with change etc. Employee Assistance Officers (EAOs) also provide consultative support to civil service managers in the area of employee wellbeing in the workplace and are active in helping Departments and Offices respond proactively to a wide range of wellbeing issues.
The CSEAS does not adhere to any one particular therapeutic modality, ensuring that no matter what issue presented to the CSEAS, one-to-one sessions offering guidance and support can be provided for however long the employee (client) needs it. Should the client require or request structured clinical counselling for a particular issue, the EAO provides information on relevant services including low cost and/or no cost options that may be available to them.
