12 May €50,000 funding for counselling, psychotherapy and therapeutic services for children in Mayo

A Mayo TD has welcomed funding of €50,000 for children’s counselling services at two community and voluntary organisations in the county.

Deputy Alan Dillon said a total of €700,000 in funding has been announced nationally in Dormant Accounts and will increase counselling, psychotherapy and therapeutic services to children and young people experiencing social and economic disadvantage in communities around Ireland.  It will help to address unmet need and reduce waiting lists for community-based counselling services.

“A total of €25,000 each has been announced for The Family Centre, Upper Chapel St, Castlebar and Knock Counselling Centre located at Our Lady’s Shrine, Knock.

‘The aim of the fund is to increase counselling and psychotherapy and other therapy types (play, drama, art and creative therapy, bereavement support) to children and young people who are socially/economically disadvantaged and who without support cannot access these services.”

Deputy Dillon said he was delighted that two centres in Mayo were successful in applications under the Dormant Accounts funding to Tusla to build on their existing work in supporting children, young people and their families, particularly in aftermath of the Covid pandemic where community-based services are reporting a large increase in families seeking support for children and young people.

“This measure will help to address improved accessibility and availability of counselling, psychotherapy, therapy services to disadvantaged children and young people in Mayo,” Deputy Dillon concluded.