Letters

Tax relief for psychotherapy expenses

Timely access to mental health supports

Sat Oct 07 2023 - 00:09

Sir, – The Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP) sees Budget 2024 as a pivotal time for the Government to respond to the mental health needs of the people of Ireland. The need for mental health supports has been exacerbated and amplified by lingering effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

First, we urge the expansion of the pilot Primary School Counselling Programme to include all schools at both primary and second level. This will enable children and young people to have timely access to mental health supports.

This step is essential, given the increasing concerns about children’s mental health post-pandemic.

Second, we stress the importance of introducing tax relief for counselling and psychotherapy expenses. This would not only make mental health services more affordable and accessible, but it would reinforce the message that taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health.

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Finally, the application of a VAT exemption for the profession would bring counsellors and psychotherapists into line with the exemption currently available to psychologists. This would ensure equitable treatment of mental health professionals as well as removing the burden of taxation on clients when paying for essential therapeutic services.

These proposals would do more than just improve access to essential therapeutic supports; they would alleviate the burden on our already strained public mental health system.

The IACP is calling on the Government to increase investment in counselling and psychotherapy with the aim of establishing universal access to counselling and psychotherapy for all that need it. – Yours, etc,

LISA MOLLOY,

CEO,

Irish Association

for Counselling

and Psychotherapy,

Dún Laoghaire,

Co Dublin.