Discussions are ongoing to try and find another provider to continue the services provided by Console.

It’s now expected Console will be wound down, after an audit revealed financial irregularities at the organisation between 2012 and 2014. Further examination of the charity’s records have revealed the precarious finances of the charity, due to years of alleged funding misappropriation by disgraced ex-chief executive Paul Kelly.

The HSE is working on ways to transition counselling and helpline services by the suicide prevention charity to other organisations.

Fianna Fail’s Robert Troy says the charity’s reputation has been irreparably damaged but it’s important the services that people rely on are protected.

He thinks the state needs to do more to provide treatment for those suffering with mental health issues:

“A lot of the operators in this area are just merely filling in where the state is failing. I believe that the state should look at how counselling, how supports in the whole area of mental health is administered throughout the country.”