Publication
Counselling and Health Supports
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Published on
Last updated on
We recognise that for many survivors and former residents their experiences in these institutions continue to impact them greatly today. We are committed to ensuring that support is available for anyone who may need it. Professional counselling support is available, free of charge, for former residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. Further information and contact details can be found at Counselling supports for former residents of Mother and Baby Homes.
You may be eligible for an enhanced medical card if you meet the criteria, further information can be found here
The enhanced medical card entitles the holder to the following services, without charge, under the public health system in Ireland:
• GP services;
• prescribed drugs, medicines, aids and appliances;
• dental, ophthalmic (services to help with eye diseases) and aural (hearing)
• services;
• home nursing;
• home support;
• counselling;
• chiropody/podiatry (feet issues); and
• physiotherapy.
In addition, if you have a medical card you do not have to pay the €100 Emergency Department statutory charge.
If you are already in possession of a means-tested medical card in Ireland, it may still be worthwhile to apply for the enhanced medical card under this Payment Scheme. This is because the enhanced medical card is not means-tested.
The Department of Health, in partnership with the HSE, is currently working on establishing a Patient Advocacy Liaison Service (PALS) for survivors and former residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. This service will have a dedicated team who can provide bespoke information and support to survivors and former residents, on a confidential basis, to assist them in accessing health services which they may need. Further information on this service will be published and circulated to survivors and former residents when it is available.