The HSE National Counselling Service (NCS) is a free service for any adult who has experienced the trauma of abuse or neglect in childhood.  Set up at the same time as the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, and in operation since September 2000, it provides professional counselling and psychotherapy services to help people to cope better with their life and relationships.

Following the publication of the Dublin Diocesan Report the HSE NCS put in place a coordinated response so that all survivors of abuse have access to a helpdesk which would direct them to the most appropriate service that best helps them. The HSE has collaborated with other organisations, Faoiseamh, Connect, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and One in Four, so as to ensure that every person affected by the publication of the Dublin Diocesan Report who makes a call gets the offer of the service they feel is right for them, ranging from phone counselling to a referral for face to face counselling. 

The HSE NCS saw a 300% increase in calls from survivors of abuse following publication of the Dublin Diocesan Report.   The helpdesk will close on Sunday night/Monday morning 7^th December 2009 and normal services will resume on the HSE NCS National Information Line 1800 235 234.The helpdesk freephone will remain connected to the HSE NCS and a dedicated mailbox for a further two weeks for those who need it. Counselling is available at 60 locations throughout Ireland and can be accessed by calling freephone 1800 235 234 for an appointment at a location of your choice.   Face to face counselling is also available from the HSE NCS (1800 235 237), Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (1800 77 88 88) and Faoiseamh 1800 331 234.

Speaking about the response to calls, Rachel Mooney, Director of Counselling with the HSE in South Dublin said “we have collaborated with a number of other service providers to ensure that the needs of clients affected by the Dublin Diocesan Report are meet.  This collaborative approach has worked very well.  In recognition of the courage it takes to begin the  counselling journey we ensured that every person affected by the publication of the Dublin Diocesan Report who made a call got the offer of the service they felt was right for them and met their needs.  This ranged from a professional counsellor to a referral for face to face counselling and with the step down of the helpline services this service will remain in place for those who need them”.