Politician(s) lobbied: Mary Butler (Government Chief Whip and Minister), Department of the Taoiseach; Ian Power (Special Adviser), Department of the Taoiseach; Sorca Clarke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: For legislation to be filed to protect the public from the serious risks associated with the use of AI 'therapy'
Methods: MeetingLetter
Details by Method
Meeting
Our group met with Deputy Sorca Clarke to discuss our serious concerns about AI 'therapy' and the need for a legislative ban to protect the public.
Letter
The group wrote to Minister Mary Butler about our concerns and requested a meeting to discuss the issues.
Politician(s) lobbied: Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister), Department of Health; Claire O’ Cleary (Chief Executive Officer), Department of Health; Rachel Kenna (Chief Nursing Officer), Department of Health; Alesssandra Fantini (Head of Unit), Department of Health; Stephen Foley (Special Adviser), Department of Health; Regina Doherty (MEP), European Parliament
Intent: For the Minister of Health to pause the CORU regulatory process for counsellors and psychotherapists to ensure that the Standards and Criteria are subject to a lawful, proportionate, and transparent regulatory process.
Methods: LetterMeeting
Details by Method
Letter
Follow-up letter to our meeting with the Minister highlighting action items.
Meeting
The IACP met with the Minister for Health and members of her team in the Public Regulation Unit at the Department of Health regarding our concerns with the CORU Standards of Proficiency and Criteria for Education and Training for Counsellors and Psychotherapists. Regina Doherty MEP gave opening remarks at the IACP's annual conference at the Johnstown Estate and we provided a brief update on the state regulation process.
Politician(s) lobbied: Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister), Department of Health; Mary Butler (Government Chief Whip and Minister), Department of the Taoiseach; Séamus Keating (Chairperson), Department of Health; Claire O’ Cleary (Chief Executive Officer), Department of Health; Pádraig Rice (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Colm Burke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Cahill (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Sorca Clarke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; David Cullinane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Martin Daly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pádraig O'Sullivan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Peter Roche (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Marie Sherlock (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Liam Quaide (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Rachel Kenna (Chief Nursing Officer), Department of Health; Alesssandra Fantini (Head of Unit), Department of Health; Barry Ward (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Maria Byrne (Senator), Seanad; Tom Clonan (Senator), Seanad; Teresa Costello (Senator), Seanad; Nicole Ryan (Senator), Seanad; Mairéad Farrell (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Donna McGettigan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Claire O’ Cleary (Chief Executive Officer), Department of Health
Intent: For the Minister of Health to pause the CORU regulatory process for counsellors and psychotherapists to ensure that the Standards and Criteria are subject to a lawful, proportionate, and transparent regulatory process.
Methods: EmailMeetingLetter
Details by Method
Email
Follow-up email to the Department of Health Public Regulation Unit providing the IACP's Joint Committee on Health submission and requested a meeting in January.
Meeting
Meeting with the Department of Health Public Regulation Unit regarding our concerns with the Publication of the Standards and Criteria for Counsellors and Psychotherapists by CORU and requested that the Minister for Health pause the process.
Letter
Memorandum in relation to the Consultation on Standards and Criteria adopted by CORU to the Minister for Health.
Meeting
Shared our concerns with Deputies Roche, Sherlock, Ward, Quaide, Clarke, and McGettigan in meetings at Leinster House and online regarding the Publication of the Standards and Criteria for Counsellors and Psychotherapists by CORU and requested support in calling for a pause on regulation until issues are resolved.
Letter
Shared our legal opinion on the lack of a proportionality assessment as part of the Publication of the Standards and Criteria for Counsellors and Psychotherapists with the Minister for Health and CORU.
Email
The IACP emailed a targeted list of TDs and the Joint Committee on Health members, Dept of Health and CORU detailing the changes needed to the CORU Standards and Criteria for Counsellors and Psychotherapists and requested a meeting to further discuss the topic.
Email
The IACP sent our statement and other information regarding the Joint Committee on Health hearing on 26th November 2025 to the clerk and requested an update.
Politician(s) lobbied: Sorca Clarke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Liam Quaide (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Donna McGettigan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ian Power (Special Adviser), Department of the Taoiseach
Intent: The extension of tax relief as a qualifying expense to counselling and psychotherapy.::The application of a VAT exemption to counselling and psychotherapy services which will create an equity between Counsellors/Psychotherapists and other allied health professionals.::The expansion of the counselling in schools program.
Methods: EmailMeeting
Details by Method
Email
Emails to setup meetings to discuss our Pre-Budget Submission and ask for support for our priorities.
Meeting
Meetings with Deputies Quaide, Clarke, and McGettigan in Leinster House and online to discuss our Pre-Budget priorities and to ask for support.
Politician(s) lobbied: Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister), Department of Health; Mary Butler (Government Chief Whip and Minister), Department of the Taoiseach; Séamus Keating (Chairperson), Department of Health; Claire O’ Cleary (Chief Executive Officer), Department of Health
Intent: Urged the Minister and others to take the necessary steps to ensure that the Standards and Criteria are subject to a lawful, proportionate, and transparent regulatory process.
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Email
The IACP emailed a targeted list detailing the changes needed to the CORU Standards and Criteria for Counsellors and Psychotherapists and requested a meeting to further discuss the topic.
Politician(s) lobbied: Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister), Department of Health; Mary Butler (Government Chief Whip and Minister), Department of the Taoiseach; Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Hildegarde Naughton (Minister of State), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Jim O'Callaghan (Minister), Department of Justice
Intent: The IACP Calls for the End of the Use of Therapy Notes in Legal Cases Involving Sexual Assault in Ireland.
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Email
The IACP emailed a targeted list of Ministers requesting a meeting regarding action on our Therapy Notes statement.
Politician(s) lobbied: Stephen Foley (Special Adviser), Department of Finance; Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister), Department of Health; Mary Butler (Government Chief Whip and Minister), Department of the Taoiseach; Ian Power (Special Adviser), Department of the Taoiseach; David Cullinane (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Peter Roche (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Sorca Clarke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Marie Sherlock (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Pádraig Rice (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Liam Quaide (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Paschal Donohoe (Minister), Department of Finance; Deborah Sweeney (Special Adviser), Department of Finance; Ged Nash (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Cian O'Callaghan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Helen McEntee (Minister), Department of Education; Patrick Cluskey (Adviser to Minister), Department of Education; Jen Cummins (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Eoghan Kenny (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Darren O'Rourke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mark Wall (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas
Intent: The extension of tax relief as a qualifying expense to counselling and psychotherapy.::The application of a VAT exemption to counselling and psychotherapy services which will create an equity between Counsellors/Psychotherapists and other allied health professionals.::The expansion of the counselling in schools program.
Methods: Email
Details by Method
Email
The IACP emailed a targeted list of Ministers, spokespeople, special advisors, and committee members requesting a meeting on our Pre-Budget Submission.
Politician(s) lobbied: Jerry Buttimer (Minister of State), Department of Rural and Community Development
Intent: The IACP is urging the Government to act swiftly to expand tax relief for counselling and psychotherapy services to be deemed an eligible expense in line with other health expenses.
Methods: Meeting
Details by Method
Meeting
At the IACP's Annual Conference CEO Lisa Molloy and staff met with Minister of State Jerry Buttimer, who was launching the event, and the IACP’s request to expand tax relief for counselling and psychotherapy services to be deemed an eligible expense in line with other health expenses was highlighted.
Politician(s) lobbied: Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister), Department of Health; Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Jerry Buttimer (Minister of State), Department of Rural and Community Development
Intent: For the Counselling in Schools pilot to be made a permanent programme and rolled out to primary and secondary schools across the country.
Methods: EmailMeeting
Details by Method
Email
Email congratulating Norma Foley on her new role as Minister Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, continue our advocacy for counselling in schools, and request a meeting.
Meeting
In a meeting with Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, CEO Lisa Molloy advocated for the Counselling in Schools pilot to be made a permanent programme and rolled out to primary and secondary schools across the country. At the IACP's Annual Conference, CEO Lisa Molloy and staff met with Minister of State Jerry Buttimer who was launching the event and IACP’s advocacy for counselling in schools and the importance of the continuum of care into secondary schools was mentioned.
Politician(s) lobbied: Jerry Buttimer (Minister of State), Department of Rural and Community Development; Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Minister), Department of Health; Mary Butler (Government Chief Whip and Minister), Department of the Taoiseach
Intent: An exemption from VAT would increase accessibility to therapy by creating equity of treatment and parity of esteem for mental health professionals providing psychotherapy and counselling services, with those who deliver physical health care. The application of a VAT exemption would bring counsellors and psychotherapists into line with the exemption currently available to psychologists and other health professionals.
Methods: EmailMeeting
Details by Method
Email
Emails to Minister Carroll MacNeill and Minister Butler congratulating them on their new roles and advocating for the expansion of the VAT exemption for therapeutic services.
Meeting
Lisa Molloy, CEO and staff met with Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill in IACP's national office to discuss various topics, including VAT exemption for counselling services. At the IACP's Annual Conference CEO Lisa Molloy and staff met with Minister of State Jerry Buttimer, who was launching the event, and the importance of the VAT exemption was mentioned to the Minister.
