Overwatch Report

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

January–April

[Finance] VAT exemption for psychotherapy and counselling services

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jerry Buttimer', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)'} {'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Government Chief Whip and Minister (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

January–April

[Health] The importance of the Counselling in Schools Pilot

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Norma Foley', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Jerry Buttimer', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)'}

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

January–April

[Taxation] Expansion of Tax Relief to Counselling and Psychotherapy Services

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Jerry Buttimer', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)'}

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

May–August

[Health] IACP Pre-Budget Submission 2026

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Requested that our members contact their representatives in the Oireachtas to support our Pre-Budget Submission via newsletter.'} {'name': 'Social Media All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'The IACP posted our pre-budget submission for budget 2026 on social media platforms and the IACP website.'} {'name': 'Stephen Foley', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Government Chief Whip and Minister (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Ian Power', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'} + 16 more

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

May–August

[Justice and Equality] Use of Therapy Notes in Legal Cases Involving Sexual Assault in Ireland.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Requested that our members contact their representatives in the Oireachtas.'} {'name': 'Social Media All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'The IACP posted our Therapy Notes statement on social media platforms and the IACP website.'} {'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Government Chief Whip and Minister (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Norma Foley', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} {'name': 'Hildegarde Naughton', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)'} + 1 more

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

May–August

[Health] Publication of the Standards and Criteria for Counsellors and Psychotherapists by the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board of CORU

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Requested that our members contact their representatives in the Oireachtas.'} {'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Government Chief Whip and Minister (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Séamus Keating', 'role': 'Chairperson (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Claire O’ Cleary', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Department of Health)'}

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

September–December

[Health] Raised concerns about the Publication of the Standards and Criteria for Counsellors and Psychotherapists by the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Registration Board of CORU

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Requested that our members contact the Health Minister and their representatives in the Oireachtas to call for changes to the CORU Standards and Criteria for Counsellors and Psychotherapists..'} {'name': 'Social Media All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Called for changes to the CORU Standards and Criteria for Counsellors and Psychotherapists.'} {'name': 'Jennifer Carroll MacNeill', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Government Chief Whip and Minister (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Séamus Keating', 'role': 'Chairperson (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Claire O’ Cleary', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Department of Health)'} + 20 more

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

September–December

[Health] IACP Pre-Budget Submission 2026

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Requested that our members contact their representatives in the Oireachtas to support our Pre-Budget Submission via newsletter.'} {'name': 'Social Media All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'The IACP posted our pre-budget submission for budget 2026 on social media platforms calling for support of our priorities.'} {'name': 'Sorca Clarke', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Liam Quaide', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Donna McGettigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Ian Power', 'role': 'Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

January–April

[Taxation] The application of VAT on the professions of counselling and psychotherapy.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'The IACP requested our members via email and in our newsletter to contact the Minister of Finance and their elected representatives in the Oireachtas to support our proposal to eliminate the VAT for the professions of counselling and psychotherapy. We have a contact your elected representatives tool including email templates on our website.'} {'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Michael McGrath', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'} {'name': 'Frank Feighan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

January–April

[Health] Calling for Counselling in Schools Pilot Expansion to all schools in Ireland.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Simon Harris', 'role': 'An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)'}

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

May–August

[Health] IACP Pre-Budget Submission 2025

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Requested that our members contact their representatives in the Oireachtas to support our Pre-Budget Submission via newsletter.'} {'name': 'Social Media All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'The IACP posted our pre-budget submission for budget 2025 on social media platforms and the IACP website.'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'The IACP sent emails to our members asking them to support our pre-budget submission by contacting their representatives in the Oireachtas.'} {'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'The IACP emailed members of the Oireachtas a copy of our pre-budget submission and asked for their support and a meeting to brief the members on our priorities.'}

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

May–August

[Taxation] IACP's submission regarding the application of VAT on the professions of counselling and psychotherapy.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Email All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Support our proposal to eliminate the VAT for the professions of counselling and psychotherapy.'} {'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Frank Feighan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

September–December

[Health] Urged political parties and government officials to prioritise mental health funding and programmes in their election manifestos and in the new government.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Letter All Oireachtas Members', 'role': '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.'} {'name': 'Letter All Oireachtas Members', 'role': '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.'} {'name': 'Mark Ward', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

January–April

[Health] The IACP wrote a letter to the editor (which appeared in several newspapers) urging CORU to proceed as quickly as possible with the process of opening the registers for counsellors and psychotherapists.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Ginny Hanrahan', 'role': 'Chief Executive Officer (Department of Health)'}

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

September–December

[Health] Counselling In Schools Programme/Pilot

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Micheál Martin', 'role': 'Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)'}

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

May–August

[Health] IACP Pre-Budget Submission 2024

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Neasa Hourigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Gino Kenny', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Lahart', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mark Ward', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Frances Black', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Martin Conway', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 15 more

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

May–August

[Health] To request a meeting to seek guidance regarding our proposal, Access to Counselling & Psychotherapy Through Schools Initiative from each member of the Oireachtas Subcommittee on Mental Health and Mental Health spokespeople, Minster for State, Mental Health, and the Minster for Education.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Neasa Hourigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Annie Hoey', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Frances Black', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'John Lahart', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mark Ward', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Gino Kenny', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 7 more

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

September–December

[Health] IACP Pre-Budget Submission 2023

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Catherine Martin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Neasa Hourigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Gino Kenny', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Lahart', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mark Ward', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Frances Black', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 18 more

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

September–December

[Health] Counselling In Schools Programme/Pilot

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Catherine Martin', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Neasa Hourigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Gino Kenny', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Lahart', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mark Ward', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Frances Black', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} + 30 more

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

September–December

[Health] The IACP requested an up-to-date position regarding the regulation of the professions of Counselling and Psychotherapy under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'}

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

January–April

[Health] To ask If Counsellors and Psychotherapists could be included on the list of essential workers receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mary Butler', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'} {'name': 'Frank Feighan', 'role': 'Minister of State (Department of Health)'}

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

January–April

[Health] The Minister for Health asked us to answer a question about the regulation of counselling and psychotherapy for one of his constituents.

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Stephen Donnelly', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Health)'}

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

January–April

[Health] To invite each member of the Oireachtas Subcommittee on Mental Health to meet with the IACP

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Neasa Hourigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Annie Hoey', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Frances Black', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'John Lahart', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Mark Ward', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Gino Kenny', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} + 2 more

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

January–April

[Health] To invite each leader of political parties in opposition to meet with the IACP

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Róisín Shorthall', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Alan Kelly', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

January–April

[Health] To ask Deputy Gary Gannon about more information about Social Democrats' Independent Task Force for Covid-19 Trauma on Young People

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Gary Gannon', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': "Cat O'Driscoll", 'role': 'Councillor (Dublin City Council)'}

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

January–April

[Health] Deputy Mark Ward Asked the IACP to Support Sinn Féin's Motion: Mental Health Crisis: An Emergency Response

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mark Ward', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

May–August

[Health] IACP's Pre-Budget Submission 2022

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Paschal Donohoe', 'role': 'Minister (Department of Finance)'}

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

May–August

[Health] To ask Mental Health Spokespeople in Parliamentary parties for their opinions on our Pre-Budget Submission 2022

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Mark Ward', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Neasa Hourigan', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Róisín Shorthall', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'John Lahart', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'}

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

May–August

[Health] IACP Pre-Budget Submission 2022

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Martin Conway', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'John Lahart', 'role': 'TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)'} {'name': 'Frances Black', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Annie Hoey', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'} {'name': 'Aisling Dolan', 'role': 'Senator (Seanad)'}

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - IACP

September–December

[Health] Promoting IACP's Pre-Budget Submission in the Houses of the Oireachtas via the support of our members via an advocacy platform

Public Officials Lobbied

{'name': 'Submission All Oireachtas Members', 'role': 'Our Pre-Budget Submission included the asks: Tax relief to be fully extended to Counselling and Psychotherapy, as a qualifying health expense, in Budget 2022, and The application of exemption of VAT, now rated at 13.5% on earnings over €37,500 for Counsellors and Psychotherapists from 2022.'}

Lobbying Tracker

Most Lobbied TDs