Irish Council for Psychotherapy (Irish Council for Psychotherapy)

Lobbying Organisation Irish Council for Psychotherapy

Date published 20 May, 2026

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Jan. 2026 to 30 Apr. 2026

Specific Details ICP concerns & recommendations re: the proposed CORU Standards of Proficiency & Criteria for Education & Training Programmes for Psychotherapists.

Intended results 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.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Rúaidhrí O'Connor

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.

Letter (2-5)

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 (2-5)

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.

Letter (2-5)

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.

Meeting (1)

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.

Letter (2-5)

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.

Email (2-5)

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 (1)

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 (2-5)

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.

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.

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)