The National Counselling Services are essential for Mother and Baby Home survivors and their families in advance of the publication of the Report by the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and Certain Related Matters.
“The Minister for Children Equality Disability Integration and Youth is expected to bring a memorandum to Cabinet on the 11th January seeking approval to publish the report”
“It is vital that former residents and their families are the first to be notified about the plans to publish the report and how to access it”
The National Counselling Services is available 9.30 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday.
Details of the contact details are as follows:
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 & Dublin North City    1800 234 110

A new webpage with information specifically for former residents of Mother and Baby Homes has been set up at:
https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/4/mental-health-services/national-counselling-service/counselling-service-for-former-residents-of-mother-and-baby-homes

Outside of these hours, Connect Counselling provides telephone support. Anyone affected can also directly contact the CONNECT free telephone out of hours telephone counselling and support where they can talk in confidence with a trained counsellor. This service is generally available between 6pm and 10pm Wednesday through to Sunday on 1800 477 477.