Politician(s) lobbied: Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mary Butler (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pádraig Rice (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Paul McAuliffe (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Sorca Clarke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: ICP lobbied to pause & revisit the proposed CORU Standards. ICP’s aim was to establish a Joint Working Group with the Department of Health to co-develop standards that protect the public while respecting the unique nature of psychotherapy. ICP sought more flexible, proportionate regulation & opposed mandatory personal therapy in training, advocating for diverse competency development methods. ICP aligned with IACP & CTI to advocate for alternatives to mandatory personal therapy.
Methods: MeetingEmailInformal communicationLetter
Details by Method
Meeting
Following previous representations to the Department of Health (DoH) from ICP, alongside ICP’s appearance before the Joint Committee on Health, re: the publication of the Standards of Proficiency & Criteria for Education by CORU's CPRB, the Minister for Health met with ICP on 02/03/2026 to discuss & outline the DoH’s commitment to the regulation of counsellors & psychotherapists through CORU. At the meeting, ICP lobbied the Minister to influence psychotherapist standards.
Email
ICP & IACP & CTI together urged the Joint Committee on Health to pause the CORU regulatory process for counsellor & psychotherapist education & training. ICP & IACP & CTI expressed aligned concerns, requested a copy of the Committee’s report to the Minister for Health, & sought further engagement. ICP & IACP & CTI lobbying emphasizes safeguarding professional standards & public protection, while advocating for meaningful consultation before regulatory changes proceed.
Meeting
ICP CEO along with the CEOs of Community Therapy Ireland (CTI) & Irish Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (IACP), attended by invitation from Sorca Clarke T.D., Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Mental Health, a Dáil debate on a Private Members’ Bill in the Dáil on the urgent need to improve emergency mental health services across the state. Following the debate ICP / IACP / CTI CEO met privately with Deputy Clarke.
Informal communication
ICP CEO sought to secure a meeting with the Minister of State for Mental Health vis-à-vis a previous ICP lobbying meeting attended by Paul McAuliffe TD at Buswells on 13/11/2025. Despite initial commitments, the Minister declined direct meetings with individual organisations due to her focus on the Mental Health Bill. However, she offered to have Department officials meet with ICP, indicating partial engagement & an opportunity for continued advocacy.
Letter
ICP intensified its lobbying by collaborating with Community Therapy Ireland (CTI) & the Irish Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy (IACP). ICP / IACP / CTI CEO jointly advocated to pause the CORU regulatory process until concerns were addressed, sent a unified letter to the Health Committee, & engaged with government officials & politicians to influence mental health service regulations & highlight the need for improved emergency mental health services.
Letter
ICP sought engagement with the Minister for Health re: CORU regulation & invited the Minister to address ICP’s national conference, emphasizing the importance of protecting psychotherapy’s identity & culture during regulatory transition. The correspondence demonstrated ICP’s proactive advocacy & strategic relationship-building with policymakers alongside lobbying efforts by ICP to influence government regulation of counsellors & psychotherapists.
Letter
Re: lobbying efforts by ICP to influence CORU standards for psychotherapy regulation; actions included written requests to Department of Health officials (Alessandra Fantini; Rachel Kenna; Bríd Murphy), clarifications on training standards, & outreach to the Minister for Health. The lobbying aimed to pause & revisit standards, establish a Joint Working Group, and ensure sector-specific needs were addressed. An invitation from the Minister for Health for further dialogue was received.
Letter
There were ongoing lobbying efforts by ICP to influence the Department of Health & CORU standards for psychotherapy education & training. There was correspondence with government officials (Alessandra Fantini; Rachel Kenna; Bríd Murphy), clarifications sent to the Health Committee, & requests for meetings to address concerns & recommendations. The aim is to shape regulatory criteria & ensure stakeholder input in policy decisions affecting psychotherapist qualifications.
Politician(s) lobbied: Aengus Ó Snodaigh (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Barry Heneghan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Colm Burke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Cormac Devlin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; David Cullinane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Malcolm Byrne (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Evanne Ní Chuilinn (Senator), Seanad; Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; John McGuinness (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Liam Quaide (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Manus Boyle (Senator), Seanad; Maria Byrne (Senator), Seanad; Marie Sherlock (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Martin Daly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mary Butler (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Cahill (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Nicole Ryan (Senator), Seanad; Pádraig O'Sullivan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pádraig Rice (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Paul McAuliffe (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Peter Roche (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Sorca Clarke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Teresa Costello (Senator), Seanad; Tom Clonan (Senator), Seanad
Intent: The ICP lobbying campaign includes submitting policy to the Minister for Health, engaging opposition Health Spokespersons, confirming meetings with Sinn Féin & the Oireachtas Health Committee, & securing support from Labour & Social Democrats. Registrants are mobilized to contact TDs using templates & constituency lists. A meeting with TDs held 13/11/2025 at Buswells Hotel. Media efforts include press releases, published letters, and outreach to European Psychotherapy Associations for support.::The lobbying efforts focus on engaging key stakeholders, political parties, & CORU, to address psychotherapy standards. Activities include meetings, briefings, press releases, & media campaigns to highlight concerns & propose a joint Working Group for co-developing standards. Future plans involve expanding outreach through political conferences, hosting international meetings, launching public safety campaigns, & leveraging media opportunities to sustain momentum & drive impactful change.
Methods: Informal communicationEmailMeetingLetterSubmission
Details by Method
Informal communication
Aengus Ó Snodaigh TD communicated to ICP CEO that ICP’s lobbying efforts led to numerous parliamentary questions re: CORU's proposed changes to psychotherapy training standards. Concerns raised include reduced clinical practice hours, removal of personal therapy requirements, & lack of mandatory supervision. The Minister emphasizes CORU's commitment to public protection, evidence-based standards, and stakeholder engagement while addressing these regulatory changes.
Informal communication
Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health when she plans to meet with an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58293/25] (04/11/2025) https://tinyurl.com/2arc8c5s
Email
ICP CEO sought to address concerns raised during a Health Committee meeting re: CORU's standards for psychotherapist education & training, including clarifications on personal therapy for family therapist students. Alessandra Fantini, (Principal Officer) (Professional Regulation Unit) c/o The Department of Health acknowledged receipt of correspondence & confirmed the Minister for Health would meet with CORU to discuss these issues, with a response to follow post-meeting.
Meeting
ICP CEO, Board, & Registrants engaged in lobbying efforts at Buswells on 13/11/2025, meeting Senators & TDs to address concerns re: CORU’s proposed Standards of Proficiency for Psychotherapists. Via pop-up presentations by experienced psychotherapists, they highlighted key issues & potential impacts on the profession & public. Public reps were invited for briefings to ensure psychotherapy regulation in Ireland is robust & aligned with best practices, emphasizing the importance of their support
Letter
ICP lobbied against CORU’s revised standards for psychotherapy training, citing concerns over public safety & professional integrity. Key objections = reduced clinical practice hours, removal of mandatory personal therapy, lack of supervision requirements, & non-compliance with EU standards, risking EU employment mobility. ICP urges policymakers to challenge these changes, align with EAP standards, and ensure robust, evidence-based regulation developed in consultation with professionals.
Letter
ICP raises concerns re: CORU’s lack of meaningful consultation with the profession in developing psychotherapy training standards. ICP disputes claims of sufficient expertise on CORU’s Council, criticises the exclusion of mandatory personal therapy, & highlights inadequate clinical supervision reqs. ICP argues CORU’s standards risk lowering qualifications, hindering international mobility, & reducing public protection. ICP urges OHC to address issues & ensure robust, collaborative regulation.
Letter
ICP urged David Cullinane TD to challenge CORU’s revised psychotherapy training standards, citing six critical concerns, including reduced clinical practice hours, lack of mandatory personal therapy, & non-compliance with EU standards. ICP highlighted public safety risks & requested Cullinane to raise the issue in the Dáil & health policy discussions. ICP sought an opportunity to address the Oireachtas Health Committee to present its concerns & evidence supporting personal therapy.
Submission
ICP urges Minister for Health to intervene in CORU's proposed psychotherapy training standards, which lack mandatory personal therapy, adequate clinical supervision, sufficient training duration, & clinical practice hours. ICP highlights risks to public safety, professional integrity, & international recognition. ICP advocate for aligning Ireland's standards with EU benchmarks i.e., 250 hours of personal therapy, 500 clinical practice hours, & minimum of 4 years training to ensure quality safety
Meeting
ICP urges Oireachtas members to advocate for Minister for Health to intervene in CORU’s revised psychotherapy standards, which fall below EU norms, risking public safety & professional credibility. ICP calls for mandatory personal therapy, clinical supervision, a minimum four-year training duration, 500 clinical practice hours, & EU alignment. ICP demand transparent stakeholder consultation to safeguard Ireland’s psychotherapy standards & ensure international recognition & public protection.
Meeting
On 26/11/2025, ICP addressed the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health to advocate for stronger standards in psychotherapy education & training. Key recommendations included mandatory personal therapy, clinical supervision, alignment with Irish & European standards, & recognition of psychotherapy as a distinct profession. ICP urges the Minister for Health to pause current standards & form a collaborative Working Group to ensure public protection & professional integrity.
Submission
Safeguarding Psychotherapy Training & Practice Standards in Ireland - A Submission from ICP to the Minister for Health Following the Publication of Revised CORU Standards For Psychotherapy (02/10/2025) https://tinyurl.com/2fepp8vd
Letter
The ICP is lobbying against CORU’s revised psychotherapy training standards, citing concerns over public safety, professional integrity, & alignment with European standards. ICP CEO seeks Sinn Féin TD Sorca Clarke’s support to challenge these changes in the Dáil & Oireachtas Health Committee. Clarke’s office agreed to meet 21/10/2025, to discuss the issue further & consider ICP’s request to address the Health Committee.
Letter
The ICP lobbied Social Democrats TDs Pádraig Rice and Liam Quaide to challenge CORU’s revised psychotherapy training standards, citing public safety risks and non-compliance with European standards. Key concerns include reduced training requirements and the exclusion of mandatory personal therapy. Both TDs supported the ICP’s stance, with Quaide pledging to raise the issue in the Dáil & Rice securing a Health Committee session on 19/11/2025 to address the matter.
Letter
The ICP lobbied TDs to support their request to address the Oireachtas Committee on Health re: concerns over CORU’s proposed standards for psychotherapists. ICP argued these changes undermine training quality, public safety, & EU employment mobility. Key issues included reduced clinical practice hours, lack of mandatory personal therapy, & disregard for European standards. ICP seeks robust, evidence-based regulation developed in consultation with the profession.
Letter
The ICP urges Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill to revise CORU's draft standards for psychotherapy regulation, citing concerns over public safety, professional integrity, & misalignment with European norms. ICP recommends mandatory personal therapy, clinical supervision, 500 clinical practice hours, & a four-year Level 9 qualification for trainees. ICP request the Minister to use her powers under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 to ensure these safeguards are implemented.
Email
The Minister for Health launched a public consultation on the Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill, part of the Government’s Autumn 2025 Legislative Programme. The consultation sought stakeholder input on proposed amendments to health & social care regulatory acts, as required by EU Directive 2018/958. Interested parties could provide feedback via an online survey on Gov.ie, open for four weeks starting 24/10/2025. Circulated via email by ICP CEO to ICP registrants.
Politician(s) lobbied: Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister), Department of Health; Jim O'Callaghan (Minister), Department of Justice
Intent: Session Limitations is ICP’s central concern. Short-term psychotherapeutic support services are neither intended nor designed to address the psychological consequences of adverse & traumatic childhood experiences. Nor are they designed to identify & assess the different layers of psychological complexity within the student population. ICP want to be included in any emerging conversations; to contribute to the dialogue & make the case for the provision of psychotherapy in schools in Ireland.::To protect the high & rigorous standards of training; to approve the use of state-aided school funding to avail of the services of psychotherapists in private practice according to each school’s unique context, culture & environment; to amend the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010 to make psychotherapy services VAT exempt in line with services provided by other health & social care professions including those of psychologists. These remain priority issues for ICP.
Methods: MeetingEmailLetter
Details by Method
Meeting
Alessandra Fantini, (Principal Officer) (Professional Regulation Unit) & unit staff met ICP CEO & 4 Board Directors in-person to discuss issues re: regulation of the psychotherapy profession. The agenda was (1) ICP public safety concerns re: recently published CORU Standards of Proficiency & Criteria for Education for psychotherapists (2) the grade of psychotherapist within Irish public health services. ICP was also open to any additional items the Department officials might want to discuss.
Email
Emma McHugh (Private Secretary to the Minister for Justice) responded on the Minister's behalf. The feedback was that Minister understands the challenges some self-employed professionals face in accessing this process, particularly those working independently in sensitive roles such as psychotherapy. The Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) confirms that there is, in GNVB’s opinion, no legal impediment to ICP conducting vetting on behalf of psychotherapists, whether self-employed or otherwise.
Email
Emma McHugh (Private Secretary to the Minister for Justice) responded on the Minister's behalf. The feedback was that neither the Minister nor the Department can provide legal advice or interpret legislation. It is open to ICP to obtain further independent legal advice if ICP wish. The recommendation was that ICP contact the Garda National Vetting Bureau directly, as they are best placed to advise ICP.
Letter
ICP CEO contacted Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD (Minister for Health) (Fine Gael) to seek a briefing meeting. Eoghan Flynn (Private Secretary to the Minister for Health) communicated that due to a full schedule of Diary & Government business Minister Carroll MacNeill was unable to meet, but asked that Department officials meet with ICP CEO in the first instance. They arranged a meeting for late August 2025.
Email
ICP CEO contacted Jim O'Callaghan TD (Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration) (Fianna Fáil) for further clarification re: Garda Vetting. He outlined several examples as to where the Department feels ICP is qualified as a relevant organisation? ICP’s clear legal advice is that ICP cannot be viewed as a relevant organisation under the legislation.
Letter
ICP CEO contacted Jim O'Callaghan TD (Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration) (Fianna Fáil) re: Garda Vetting for self-employed psychotherapists working with children & vulnerable adults. Following recent legal advice, ICP ceased offering Garda Vetting to its self-employed registrants via a service agreement previously in place with Dublin City Volunteer Centre (DCVC) vis-à-vis DCVC providing support to ICP re: processing vetting applications received from self-employed registrants.
Meeting
Principal Officers (Professional Regulation Unit) (Mental Health Unit) & 3 other officials met the ICP CEO & 4 Board Directors in-person. ICP pushed the role/expertise of ICP & its member organisations, & public safety issues arising from CORU standards & communicated that a new policy paper responding to the standards is being finalised by ICP for submission to the Minister. A Principal Officer (PRU) referred to the importance of the European dimension & mobility of professional workforces.
Politician(s) lobbied: Helen McEntee (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Helen McEntee (Minister), Department of Education; Bernie McNally (Assistant Secretary), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Bernie McNally (Secretary General), Department of Education; Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister), Department of Health; Mary Butler (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mary Butler (Minister of State), Department of Health
Intent: Session Limitations is ICP’s central concern. Short-term psychotherapeutic support services are neither intended nor designed to address the psychological consequences of adverse & traumatic childhood experiences. Nor are they designed to identify & assess the different layers of psychological complexity within the student population. ICP want to be included in any emerging conversations; to contribute to the dialogue & make the case for the provision of psychotherapy in schools in Ireland.::To protect the high & rigorous standards of training; to approve the use of state-aided school funding to avail of the services of psychotherapists in private practice according to each school’s unique context, culture & environment; to amend the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010 to make psychotherapy services VAT exempt in line with services provided by other health & social care professions including those of psychologists. These remain priority issues for ICP.
Methods: LetterEmail
Details by Method
Letter
ICP CEO contacted Helen McEntee TD (Minister for Education and Youth) (Fine Gael) to seek a briefing meeting to discuss/progress ICP’s key issues & be included in any emerging conversations; to contribute to the dialogue & make the case for the provision of psychotherapy in Ireland’s schools. ICP CEO contacted Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD (Minister for Health) (Fine Gael) & Mary Butler TD (Minister of State with Responsibility for Mental Health) (Fianna Fáil) to seek briefing meetings.
Email
Mary Butler TD (Minister of State with Responsibility for Mental Health) (Fianna Fáil) asked Amy Brennan (Private Secretary to Minister Butler) to acknowledge receipt of ICP’s correspondence & meeting request & that a further reply would issue as soon as possible.
Email
Stephen O’Brien (Private Secretary to Minister McEntee) outlined Neart - the new national programme of mental health & wellbeing resources & training for post-primary schools delivered by Jigsaw & developed by Jigsaw in partnership with NEPS & the Department of Education; guidance counsellors & the important role they fulfil within the post-primary school system; Strand 1 of the Counselling in Primary Schools; the focus of the counselling provided under the CPS-P (early intervention).
Politician(s) lobbied: Ivana Bacik (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Duncan Smith (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ged Nash (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mary Lou McDonald (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; David Cullinane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mark Ward (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pearse Doherty (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Holly Cairns (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Cian O'Callaghan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Róisín Shortall (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Stephen Donnelly (Minister), Department of Health
Intent: ICP launched a Pre-Budget 2025 Submission to Government, & General Election Manifesto addressed to all political parties. Both documents included a call for the inclusion of specific commitments by all parties in health/mental health, education & finance. ICP called on all political parties to include a commitment to implement several recommendations in its Health & Mental Health Manifestos for the general election.
Methods: EmailInformal communication
Details by Method
Email
Ged Nash TD’s Parliamentary Assistant said he previously backed the call for increased mental health funding in schools, supporting a grant of €20 per pupil devolved to schools to allow them to finance supports locally like counselling & psychotherapy. This was in line with the call by the IACP for a school counselling & psychotherapy initiative. This was in addition to their support for an extra €100m for mental health supports in the Health budget.
Informal communication
Ged Nash, Labour Party TD asked the Minister for Health when he expects CORU to complete its review of the submissions received re: the draft standards of proficiency for counsellors & psychotherapists, & publish the review outcome; the projected timeline envisaged by CORU leading to the opening of the counsellors & psychotherapists register; & if he will make a statement on the matter. Health Services Staff Questions (1063) (Ged Nash) (05/11/2024) https://tinyurl.com/yjmzcsnf
Email
ICP CEO contacted Deputy Duncan Smith T.D. & Ged Nash TD (Labour Party) & Deputy Mark Ward T.D. (Sinn Féin) & Róisín Shortall TD (Social Democrats) to seek briefing meetings with them. Róisín Shortall TD had to cancel ICP’s meeting to facilitate the rescheduling of The Health Committee’s meeting with the Minister for Health.
Email
Mark Ward T.D.’s Parliamentary Assistant said he added ICP’s general election manifesto document to their list for consideration & also used it for consideration before the launch of their Mental Health Action Plan. They were in the process of finalising their alternative budget which would inform their General Election Manifesto for health.
Email
Re: tax relief & VAT exemption calls, Ged Nash TD’s Parliamentary Assistant said these proposals are difficult to cost so they hadn’t been in a position to put a figure in their alternative budget plans, but they would be raising them during the debate on the Finance Bill later in 2024 which implements budget decisions and allows them to table technical issues like these for consideration by the Minister.
Politician(s) lobbied: Jack Chambers (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Stephen Donnelly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mary Butler (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Norma Foley (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Bernie McNally (Secretary General), Department of Education; Mary Lou McDonald (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; David Cullinane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mark Ward (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pearse Doherty (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Micheál Martin (Tánaiste and Minister), Department of the Taoiseach; Simon Harris (An Taoiseach), Department of the Taoiseach; Emer Higgins (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Colm Burke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Hildegarde Naughton (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ivana Bacik (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Duncan Smith (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ged Nash (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Roderic O'Gorman (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Neasa Hourigan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pauline O'Reilly (Senator), Seanad; Holly Cairns (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Cian O'Callaghan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Róisín Shortall (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: ICP launched a Pre-Budget 2025 Submission to Government, & General Election Manifesto addressed to all political parties. Both documents include a call for the inclusion of specific commitments by all parties in health/mental health, education & finance. ICP calls on all political parties to include a commitment to implement several recommendations in its Health & Mental Health Manifestos for the forthcoming general election.
Methods: MeetingInformal communicationLetterSubmissionEmail
Details by Method
Meeting
ICP CEO met Ged Nash, Labour Party TD on 17/04/2024 who was supportive of ICP’s position on the draft CORU standards. ICP CEO met Mark Ward TD, Sinn Féin Mental Health Spokesperson on 30/04/2024. David Cullinane TD, Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson was delayed – his parliamentary advisor, Evan Barry, attended the meeting on David’s behalf. Sinn Féin also undertook to raise two Parliamentary Questions re: the proposed standards & observation of psychotherapists sessions with clients.
Informal communication
ICP CEO requested Mark Ward TD, to submit a follow up Parliamentary Question seeking clarification on the intention or otherwise of CORU to open both the counsellors & psychotherapist registers simultaneously. Róisín Shortall TD, Health Spokesperson for the Social Democrats outlined availability for an online meeting in September 2024. She said if there are any specific issues ICP would like raised, to let her know & she’d be happy to pursue them by way of Parliamentary Questions.
Letter
ICP calls on all political parties to include a commitment in its Education Manifesto to approve the use of state-aided school funding to avail of the services of psychotherapists in private practice according to each school’s unique context, culture & environment.
Submission
ICP calls on all political parties to include a commitment in its Finance Manifesto to amend the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010 to make psychotherapy services VAT exempt in line with services provided by other health & social care professions including those of psychologists.
Email
ICP calls on all political parties, at this critical time in the regulation of psychotherapy, to protect the high standards of training. Psychotherapists are required to engage in extensive personal psychotherapy during their training which is up to 7 years duration & involves a professional highly specialised, theoretical & clinical training which include research methodology & continuous professional development.
Politician(s) lobbied: Ivana Bacik (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Brendan Howlin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ged Nash (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Colm Burke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Seán Kelly (MEP), European Parliament; Simon Harris (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: Increased funding for mental health & move into funding community based psychotherapy.
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Email
The EAP requests that the European Parliament & the EU Commission take concrete actions to help solve the mental health crisis. The Irish Council for Psychotherapy (ICP) is the sole Irish member of the EAP. ICP is calling on all European election candidates to support this position. ICP hope that Seán Kelly MEP will agree to support it. It will most likely come before the Parliament and Commission after the forthcoming elections.
Politician(s) lobbied: Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Education; Josepha Madigan (Minister of State), Department of Education; Bernie McNally (Secretary General), Department of Education; Lara Hynes (Acting Assistant Secretary), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Elizabeth Canavan (Assistant Secretary), Department of the Taoiseach; Ivana Bacik (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Brendan Howlin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ged Nash (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Colm Burke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Seán Kelly (MEP), European Parliament; Simon Harris (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: ICP wrote to Minister Foley to request her to approve the use of state-aided school funding to avail of the services of psychotherapists in private practice according to each school’s unique context, culture, and environment. ICP urges Minister Foley to reconsider this position & to put in place a trialling of psychotherapy services purchased by grant-aid into a set of post-primary schools, with a review of its effectiveness to be carried out following a year of implementation.
Methods: EmailLetter
Politician(s) lobbied: David Cullinane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Róisín Shortall (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; John Lahart (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Stephen Donnelly (Minister), Department of Health; Bernard Durkan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Neasa Hourigan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mark Ward (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ivana Bacik (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Brendan Howlin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ged Nash (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Colm Burke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Seán Kelly (MEP), European Parliament; Simon Harris (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: In summary, our recommendations in the submission to CORU are for: the development of clarity around the nature of the work of psychotherapists; the re-setting of the threshold level of training at Level 9; the inclusion within the framing of training programmes of personal psychotherapeutic experience; the revisiting of details around direct observation of clinical practice within training; the revisiting of details around practice placement context & clinical supervision.
Methods: MeetingEmailLetter
Details by Method
Meeting
3 ICP psychotherapists met Colm Burke T.D. on 10/01/2024. ICP CEO met Ged Nash TD on 17/04/2024. ICP CEO met Mark Ward T.D. & David Cullinane T.D on 30/04/2024.
Email
ICP CEO contacted Róisín Shortall TD (Social Democrats) & Neasa Hourigan TD (Green Party) to seek briefing meetings with them.
Letter
ICP CEO wrote to both the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, and Fiona Steed, Chief HSCP Officer in the Department of Health, to seek meetings to introduce himself and to discuss ICP concerns re: the CORU draft standards.
Politician(s) lobbied: David Cullinane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Róisín Shortall (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Duncan Smith (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; John Lahart (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Stephen Donnelly (Minister), Department of Health; Mary Butler (Minister of State), Department of Health; Seán Crowe (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Bernard Durkan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Colm Burke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Cathal Crowe (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Neasa Hourigan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Gino Kenny (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Frances Black (Senator), Seanad; Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Senator), Seanad; Martin Conway (Senator), Seanad; Annie Hoey (Senator), Seanad; Seán Kyne (Senator), Seanad; Mark Ward (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Aisling Dolan (Senator), Seanad
Intent: In summary, our recommendations in the submission to CORU are for: the development of clarity around the nature of the work of psychotherapists; the re-setting of the threshold level of training at Level 9; the inclusion within the framing of training programmes of personal psychotherapeutic experience; the revisiting of details around direct observation of clinical practice within training; the revisiting of details around practice placement context & clinical supervision.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
4 ICP psychotherapists met Deputy Duncan Smith T.D. & Deputy David Cullinane T.D. on 22/11/2023. They met Deputy John Lahart T.D. on 29/11/2023. 2 ICP psychotherapists met Minister Mary Butler T.D.’s officials from the Professional Regulation Unit on 08/12/2023. Health Services Staff Questions (252) (Róisín Shortall) http://tinyurl.com/pr5edt6h Healthcare Policy Questions (323) (Mark Ward) http://tinyurl.com/2khp73r8Regulatory Bodies Questions (317) (John Lahart) http://tinyurl.com/yckttvsf
