The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes was established by Government in 2015 to provide a full account of what happened to women and children in Mother and Baby home institutions during the period 1922 to 1998.
A Collaborative Forum was also established to make recommendations relating to health and well-being supports for former residents.
In response to these recommendations, the Government committed to developing a package of health and well-being measures. The importance of ensuring former residents’ mental health and specific need for psychological support was recognised and prioritised.
The National Counselling Service (NCS) was asked to provide counselling to former residents through its counselling locations:
- The HSE’s NCS has 20 years of experience in providing counselling and psychotherapy to a wide range of clients including those who have experienced psychological difficulties due to time spent in institutions.
Counselling is available face to face, by telephone or online through secure video. This service is available to adults living in Ireland if you are a former resident of Mother and Baby Homes (mothers or children).
Counselling Service for Former Residents of Mother and Baby Homes - HSE.ie
How you can access this service
Referral Process
Access to the National Counselling Service for former residents may be made by direct self-referral. You can do this by referring yourself to the service that is nearest to you.
We will also accept written referrals from health care professionals such as GPs.
Individuals referred will be offered an initial assessment appointment. This to establish if the NCS is the appropriate service to meet a person’s needs at this time.
If counselling is appropriate the next available counselling place will be offered.
When making a referral to the NCS it would be helpful to identify if you are a former resident of a mother and baby home.
This will ensure you are prioritised for the next available counselling place.
Contact Details
You can find out about your nearest counselling service by contacting the HSE region which looks after your county.
Please see full list of contact details here.
Outside of office hours
Anonymous telephone support is available from Connect Counselling, a HSE funded service.
Freephone 1800 477 477 from 6pm to 10pm every day (7 days a week).
Other Support Options
Visit yourmentalhealth.ie for more mental health support options including phone, text and online.
Other Key Contacts & Information
If you wish to contact the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and Certain Related Matters you can do so by email at
Any person seeking adoption information and tracing services may wish to contact TUSLA – Child & Family Agency by phone at 01 7718500 or by email at
Contacting the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
There is also a dedicated telephone information line available for people seeking further information about the publication of the Report. The department’s Information Line can be contacted on 01 6473200 from Monday to Friday 9.30am to 6pm.
National Counselling Service
For anyone who feels they may need professional counselling support, the HSE National Counselling Service is available from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5pm. Details of the National Counselling Service and contact details for each area are listed below.
| HSE Region | Area Covered | Telephone Number |
| CHO Area 1 | Donegal, Sligo & Leitrim | 1800 234 119 |
| CHO Area 2 | Galway, Mayo & Roscommon | 1800 234 114 |
| CHO Area 3 | Limerick, Clare & North Tipperary | 1800 234 115 |
| CH Cork, Kerry | Cork & Kerry | 1800 234 116 |
| CHO Area 5 | Waterford, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow & South Tipperary | 1800 234 118 |
| CH East | South Dublin, South East Dublin & East Wicklow | 1800 234 111 |
| CH Dublin South, Kildare & West Wicklow | South West Dublin, Kildare & West Wicklow | 1800 234 112 |
| CHO Area 8 | Midlands: Laois, Offaly, Longford & Westmeath | 1800 234 113 |
| CHO Area 1/8 | Louth, Meath, Cavan & Monaghan | 1800 234 117 |
| CHO Area 9 | Dublin North & North City | 1800 234 110 |
Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) Information and Tracing services can be accessed here.
Email:
Post:
Information & Tracing Unit,
Adoption Authority of Ireland,
Shelbourne House,
Shelbourne Road,
Ballsbridge,
D04 H6F6
Dublin 4
OR
PO Box 9957
Dublin 4
The Adoption Authority Social Work Team provides mediation and counselling to people who have been involved in some third party and family adoptions.
The team also offers information, advice and support about adoption related issues.
Queries are welcome from members of the public as well as professionals.
To contact the Social Work Team about any issue relating to adoption, please contact us by phone or email:
Phone: 01 2309 306
Outside of Ireland: +353 1 2309 306
Email:
