Irish Council for Psychotherapy (Irish Council for Psychotherapy)

Lobbying Organisation Irish Council for Psychotherapy

Date published 21 Jan, 2024

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Taxation

Period 1 Sep, 2023 to 31 Dec, 2023

Specific Details Advocacy / Lobbying (Eoin O’Sullivan) / ‘Reform Irish Mental Health Services’ Petition P00009/23/ Submission https://tinyurl.com/mpah275b

Intended results ICP member Eoin O'Sullivan contacted ICP re: his petition 'Reform Irish Mental Health' P00009/23. He was invited to address the Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen at the Oireachtas on 28/09/2023 re: issues raised by the petition. Eoin had to submit an opening statement on 18/09/2023. ICP spoke with Eoin, agreed with his points outlined, and wrote a letter of support on the issues he raised. Reform Irish Mental Health – Petition & Submission (ICP Website) https://tinyurl.com/2s3r2sev

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Rea Walshe (Consultant – Chairing Board Meetings)

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 (1)

ICP believe the delay in establishing a register for psychotherapists with CORU should not delay the implementation of a VAT exemption & allowing psychotherapy fees to be given the status of being eligible medical expenses for tax purposes. The lack of benefits currently is a barrier to service users due to the additional costs associated thus putting additional pressure on our public health services. Removal of barriers would make psychotherapists’ services accessible to those most in need.

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.

Martin Browne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)