Call for no disruption to services amid Console controversy

The Government wants to avoid disruption to services arising from the controversy surrounding the suicide charity Console, Minister for Health Simon Harris has said. The Minister said reports yesterday in The Irish Times, as well as in a RTÉ Prime Time documentary and a Health Service Executive (HSE) internal audit, had raised issues that would have to be dealt with.

However, he said the Government’s priority was “to ensure the continuity of services in relation to counselling, particularly in relation to bereavement counselling”.

The Irish Times reported yesterday that gardaí were examining the use of funds at Console, amid concerns over financial management. The HSE is also considering future funding options for Console, following a recent audit. Console has received about €2.5 million from the HSE over the past five years for suicide prevention services. The HSE said yesterday it was not aware of any concerns in respect of these services.

Separately, it has emerged that in 2009, the HSE placed a cap on the funding it would provide to Console after concerns were originally raised regarding the charity.

"Some concerns relating to corporate governance – including the appointment of a new chairperson and reporting relationships between management and the board – were raised in 2009," the HSE said in reply to questions by The Irish Times. "Certain control actions were put in place at that time, including a limit placed on the organisation's funding."

Official figures show that in recent years, particularly from 2013, funding by the HSE to Console rose significantly. In 2011, it received €239,522 and by 2014, this had risen to more than €855,000. Console received in excess of €622,204 last year. The HSE said the increase occurred in 2013 “when there was an urgent requirement for Console to take over an important suicide helpline”.

“It is important to emphasise that the increased funding was specifically for the helpline and was provided subject to Console agreeing to allow a robust review process. It was through this review process that the National Office of Suicide Prevention had concerns raised and that led to the establishment of the HSE internal audit.”

Mr Harris said it was important to note that the HSE internal audit arose from concerns identified by the National Office of Suicide Prevention.

The HSE said on Wednesday that concerns had arisen in relation to a number of areas in the organisation including corporate governance and financial management.