Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1921. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if funding has been made available for those families affected by defective blocks and who need mental healthcare; if so, if he will provide the details of the amount of funding that has been provided; to whom this funding has been given; the services that are being provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43648/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther to Government’s commitment to enhanced mental health supports for individuals and families affected by the defective concrete blocks issue, free counselling sessions have been made available to individuals and families in Mayo and Donegal affected by the issue. The Department collaborated with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and modified and expanded an existing scheme under which MyMind offers free counselling sessions to priority groups to include these individuals and families. It should be noted that the scheme is funded by this Department in 2022 on a once-off basis. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in collaboration with the Department of Health, is keeping levels of interest in and need for this service under review. If there is a demonstrated demand for a continuation of the service further arrangements will be made to continue with it.
