213. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to reports that an organisation (details supplied) may be forced to cease operations due to funding difficulties; if her Department or the HSE are currently engaged with the organisation regarding funding or service continuity; the assessments made of the potential impact on access to low-cost counselling and gambling addiction supports should the service close; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40399/26]

214. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Health the measures in place to support the long-term sustainability of community-based and low-cost mental health counselling services, including gambling addiction services; if additional funding supports are under consideration in light of reported financial pressures facing organisations in the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40400/26]

Mary Butler, Minister of State at the Department of Health: I propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 214 together.

I acknowledge the valuable work undertaken by community based counselling services across the country, such as Helplink.

Funding to voluntary and community organisations is arranged through the section 39 process via local HSE Mental Health Services, once necessary criteria are met and where a need has been identified. All such organisations must make an application for Section 39 funding, which is then assessed by local HSE Mental Health Services and will be advanced or not depending on a variety of conditions, such as the organisation supplying the required information, local operational and clinical considerations, and HSE budgetary constraints.

In any negotiations between HSE and any charity or organisation, information such as audited accounts, governance arrangements and independent board of directors details are required, so that HSE can undertake necessary due diligence. Local HSE are always available to provide guidance to any organisation on the necessary work to comply with the requirements ahead of consideration of HSE funding of their organisation.

Prior to any funding arrangement, the HSE need full and complete details on the corporate governance of an organisation, such as information on the board responsible for independent oversight of the management of an organisation, along with an organisation's annual financial statements which comply with the most recent statutory deadlines, as well as details of what clinical governance structures are in place.

These are essential and appropriate steps on the road to providing funding to any organisation. The HSE is not in a position to provide funding in the absence of information necessary to provide assurance on corporate and clinical governance. These are the same requirements of all bodies to whom the State provides public funding.

On 19th May I met with Helplink, along with Minister Grealish and my officials, to discuss the situation and various options to support them will be explored. Any HSE funding support could only occur subject to the requirements outlined above.