Pringle calls on Government to reverse funding decision that is forcing counselling service to close
- Updated: 17th January 2024
Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, has called on Government to reverse the funding decision that is forcing Donegal’s only child and adolescent counselling service to close.
Addressing the Dáil today, Deputy Pringle said: “The recent announcement that Donegal’s only child and adolescent counselling service has been forced to close because of a lack of funding has sent shock waves through many Donegal communities. It is an absolute disgrace, Minister.
“Not only has the counselling service been used, it has grown hugely, with over 15,000 counselling sessions provided in the last six years alone, by 26 counsellors across seven outreach centres, including Letterkenny, Dunfanaghy, Stranorlar, Buncrana and Creeslough.
“The government cannot say in its budgets and its press releases that mental health is a priority while at the same time allowing Tusla and the HSE to not only refuse funding, but to actively strip away a vital service providing young people with counselling,” he said.
The deputy raised the issue during questions on policy or legislation.
Deputy Pringle said: “Who decided that such an essential service was not worthy of funding, and will you reverse that decision straight away, knowing that the cessation of this service will create a dangerous void in the provision of mental health services for young people in Donegal?”
In her response, Minister Mary Butler said she spoke with the assistant national director for services in relation to this issue this morning. She said she is awaiting a briefing from CHO1 and will engage with the services and see what can be done to resolve the issue.
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