Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

Lobbying Organisation Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

Date published 21 Jan, 2025

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Sep, 2024 to 31 Dec, 2024

Specific Details Urged political parties and government officials to prioritise mental health funding and programmes in their election manifestos and in the new government.

Intended results The application of a VAT exemption to counsellors and psychotherapists in line with the exemption currently available to psychologists and other health professionals. To expand tax relief for counselling and psychotherapy services to be deemed an eligible expense in line with other health expenses. For the School Counselling Pilot to be made permanent and extended to all primary and secondary schools in the country.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Lisa Molloy & Nicole Mac Dermott

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

Mass communications

Letter All Oireachtas Members Urged each political party and members of government to prioritise mental health in its election manifesto and programme for government, with a commitment to investing in counselling and psychotherapy services that would alleviate pressure on waiting lists and improve the wellbeing of people. Asked for action on our three priorities, listed above.

Letter All Oireachtas Members Wrote a letter to the editor, that appeared in Irish Times, The Echo, and Irish Examiner, calling for mental health care to be a priority for all political parties and the new government. Asked for action on our three priorities listed above.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (1)

Requested a meeting to discuss our Pre-Budget Submission priorities, listed above.

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.

Mark Ward TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)