Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

Lobbying Organisation Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

Date published 21 Jan, 2026

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Sep, 2025 to 31 Dec, 2025

Specific Details IACP Pre-Budget Submission 2026

Intended results The extension of tax relief as a qualifying expense to counselling and psychotherapy. The application of a VAT exemption to counselling and psychotherapy services which will create an equity between Counsellors/Psychotherapists and other allied health professionals. The expansion of the counselling in schools program.

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

Email All Oireachtas Members Requested that our members contact their representatives in the Oireachtas to support our Pre-Budget Submission via newsletter.

Social Media All Oireachtas Members The IACP posted our pre-budget submission for budget 2026 on social media platforms calling for support of our priorities.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (2-5)

Meetings with Deputies Quaide, Clarke, and McGettigan in Leinster House and online to discuss our Pre-Budget priorities and to ask for support.

Email (6-10)

Emails to setup meetings to discuss our Pre-Budget Submission and ask for support for our priorities.

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.

Sorca Clarke TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Liam Quaide TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Donna McGettigan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Ian Power Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)