Irish Council for Psychotherapy (Irish Council for Psychotherapy)

Lobbying Organisation Irish Council for Psychotherapy

Date published 20 Sep, 2023

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 May, 2023 to 31 Aug, 2023

Specific Details Department of Education Pilot Programme of Counselling and Wellbeing / Mental Health Supports in Primary Schools 2023-2024 https://tinyurl.com/z7uzux46

Intended results Immediately update the criteria to include all ICP registrants in the list of accredited bodies acceptable to apply to join the programme. NEPS to train specialist ICP therapists (& other bodies) as opposed to generalist Education Wellbeing / Mental Health Practitioners. Include art & play therapists in the application process. Recognition of the professional standards in training, ethics, adherence to codes of ethics, & rigour in accreditation processes in the other 9 bodies under ICP umbrella.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Rea Walshe (Interim Chair)

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (1)

Immediately update the criteria to include all ICP registrants in the list of accredited bodies acceptable to apply to join the programme.

Letter (1)

NEPS to train specialist ICP therapists (and other bodies) as opposed to generalist Education Wellbeing / Mental Health Practitioners. Include art and play therapists in the application process.

Email (1)

Recognition of the professional standards in training, ethics, adherence to codes of ethics, and rigour in accreditation processes in the other nine professional psychotherapy bodies under the ICP umbrella.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Norma Foley TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Norma Foley Minister (Department of Education)

Josepha Madigan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Josepha Madigan Minister of State (Department of Education)

Bernie McNally Assistant Secretary (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Bernie McNally Secretary General (Department of Education)

Martina Mannion Assistant Secretary (Department of Education)

Lara Hynes Acting Assistant Secretary (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Elizabeth Canavan Assistant Secretary (Department of the Taoiseach)