'All we needed was the budget for one salary'

A total of 26 part-time counsellors currently deliver services for Raphoe Dioscesan Centre

The director of a counselling service for children and young adults has said he is "devastated" it is facing closure due to a lack of funding.

Raphoe Dioscesan Centre, based in Letterkenny in County Donegal, had been seeking funding for a full-time director of counselling.

Liam Cannon, who runs the centre, had been hoping to step back from the role.

However, he has been told funding for one salary is unavailable and the service will have to close.

Hundreds of people benefit from the service across County Donegal including Letterkenny, Dunfanaghy, Stranorlar, Creeslough and Buncrana.

A total of 26 part-time counsellors, including 11 student placements, deliver the service in seven outreach centres.

'Hundreds of referrals'

"I am heartbroken for all these people who needed us," Mr Cannon told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme.

"I've worked so hard over the years to build this non-profit group and all we needed was the budget for one salary to keep it going as I take a step back from duties.

"We see so many young people and some adults on a weekly basis dealing with different types of mental health problems. We talk them through their problems so they don't turn to medication straight away."

Mr Cannon had requested the funding so he could step back from his current position

Mr Cannon said the Raphoe Dioscesan Centre received hundreds of referrals from across the border, with the Londonderry-based group CALMS gratefully utilising their service.

"If it wasn't for us the strain on the system would be much much greater."

The Raphoe Dioscesan Centre played a vital role in providing aftercare last year following a tragedy in Creeslough where 10 people lost their lives following an explosion.

"This is what hurts the most," said Mr Cannon.

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"Local people who have been through so much pain know we are here. They know our door is open. They know the health system is already stretched. They are devastated like me about this news," he added.

Mr Cannon said he hoped "the powers that be" understand the potential impact of the site's closure and try to intervene.

"Mental health is in a different place today and I think the Covid pandemic has a lot to do with it. We just need to be there to listen," he said.

"A salary for a director would be between €60,000 (£51,650) and €70,000 (£60,260). To pay for that kind of care would be an awful lot more than that."

Disappointing decision

Tusla - a child and family agency in the Republic of Ireland - said it had been informed of the decision and told BBC News NI the organisation "provides an important service, supporting children and families across Donegal".

"We are disappointed to hear of its decision to cease operations," a spokesperson said.

"Tusla is one agency that provides funding to Raphoe Diocesan Pastoral Services for counselling services to children, young people and families and it is important to note that Tusla has not reduced funding to the service.

"We are conscious of the impact of this closure and we will continue to engage with all stakeholders in the community, to look at how existing funding can be utilised to continue to provide supports."

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) spokesperson said: "A standard application and negotiation process exists within the HSE for funding non-statutory agencies. There is currently no such agreement with this agency."

When BBC News NI asked why funding was rejected there was no reply.