Irish Council for Psychotherapy (Irish Council for Psychotherapy)
Lobbying activity
The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.
Email (21-30)
ICP calls on all political parties, at this critical time in the regulation of psychotherapy, to protect the high standards of training. Psychotherapists are required to engage in extensive personal psychotherapy during their training which is up to 7 years duration & involves a professional highly specialised, theoretical & clinical training which include research methodology & continuous professional development.
Informal communication (2-5)
ICP CEO requested Mark Ward TD, to submit a follow up Parliamentary Question seeking clarification on the intention or otherwise of CORU to open both the counsellors & psychotherapist registers simultaneously. Róisín Shortall TD, Health Spokesperson for the Social Democrats outlined availability for an online meeting in September 2024. She said if there are any specific issues ICP would like raised, to let her know & she’d be happy to pursue them by way of Parliamentary Questions.
Letter (6-10)
ICP calls on all political parties to include a commitment in its Education Manifesto to approve the use of state-aided school funding to avail of the services of psychotherapists in private practice according to each school’s unique context, culture & environment.
Meeting (2-5)
ICP CEO met Ged Nash, Labour Party TD on 17/04/2024 who was supportive of ICP’s position on the draft CORU standards. ICP CEO met Mark Ward TD, Sinn Féin Mental Health Spokesperson on 30/04/2024. David Cullinane TD, Sinn Féin Health Spokesperson was delayed – his parliamentary advisor, Evan Barry, attended the meeting on David’s behalf. Sinn Féin also undertook to raise two Parliamentary Questions re: the proposed standards & observation of psychotherapists sessions with clients.
Submission (1)
ICP calls on all political parties to include a commitment in its Finance Manifesto to amend the Value-Added Tax Consolidation Act 2010 to make psychotherapy services VAT exempt in line with services provided by other health & social care professions including those of psychologists.
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.