Read our full Pre-Budget Submission here
The IACP is seeking the following priorities from Budget 2025:
VAT Exemption
The IACP filed a comprehensive VAT Exemption Proposal with the Minister for Finance in March 2024. An exemption from VAT would increase accessibility to therapy by creating equity of treatment and parity of esteem for mental health professionals providing psychotherapy and counselling services, with those who deliver physical health care. The application of a VAT exemption would bring counsellors and psychotherapists into line with the exemption currently available to psychologists and other health professionals. This would ensure equitable treatment of mental health professionals as well as removing the burden of taxation on clients when paying for essential therapeutic services.
Expansion of Tax Relief to Counselling and Psychotherapy
The IACP is urging the Government to act swiftly to expand tax relief for counselling and psychotherapy services to be deemed an eligible expense in line with other health expenses. Minding one’s mental health is an integral component of a person’s general health and the fees for mental health services should be eligible for tax relief in the same way as physical health medical expenses are.
School Counselling and Psychotherapy Initiative Extension to all primary and secondary schools
The IACP is seeking a further commitment from Government to provide access to counselling and psychotherapy services to all primary and secondary schools. The IACP welcomed the news of the extension of the primary school counselling pilot, scheduled to be completed in June 2025. This initiative is a critical development towards giving children and young people access to the help they need, when they need it. The Pilot Programme of Counselling in Primary Schools is an historic first step in establishing school-based counselling in Ireland and a positive move in the right direction.
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