Clendennen welcomes significant mental health funding for Offaly
Fine Gael TD for Offaly, John Clendennen has welcomed the confirmation of significant funding for mental health services in Offaly, as part of a major national investment by Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler TD.
This allocation will bolster community-based counselling and talk therapy supports, with a specific focus on enhancing local access to vital services.
Offaly is set to receive €80,000 for Accessible Counselling Tullamore (ACT), an initiative that will deliver crucial counselling and psychotherapy sessions within the community.
This funding is part of a broader €1 million recurring annual investment in partnership with Community Therapy Ireland, aimed at expanding services nationwide.
Deputy Clendennen emphasised the profound impact this investment will have.
"It is great to see this substantial funding directed towards Accessible Counselling Tullamore.
"Ensuring that our community has timely and accessible mental health supports is paramount. This €80,000 allocation will be directly aimed at new clients, benefiting individuals and families, by providing them with the professional care they need, close to home," Deputy Clendennen said.
Of the 29 different member organisations of Community Therapy Ireland, who have either achieved or are working towards achieving, the CTI Clinical Badge of Excellence, Accessible Counselling Tullamore is receiving the largest individual funding allocation.
These member organisations will between them deliver an additional 9,000 counselling and psychotherapy sessions between August 1 and December 31 2026 in a new partnership between the HSE and Community Therapy Ireland.
"This investment is a testament to the government's dedication to mental health and reflects the dedication of the team at Accessible Counselling Tullamore.
"I would like to acknowledge the HSE partnership with members of Community Therapy Ireland and extend my congratulations to everyone at Accessible Counselling Tullamore who have been doing stellar work since founded by the late James O’Connor and his partner Lisa O'Connor in 2020," the Deputy concluded.