HSE calls meeting 'constructive' following talks to continue Console services

The statement said: "On the request of Minister Simon Harris, a very constructive meeting took place this morning involving David Hall, the Charities Regulator, representatives from the Charities sector, the HSE and Department of Health officials.

"The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the ongoing issues regarding Console and how services currently being provided by Console and funded by the HSE can be continued. These services are the 24/7 Suicide Helpline, the Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service, and the Suicide Bereavement Counselling Service.

"All parties at the meeting reiterated that the over-riding priority is the continuation of services to clients who are currently availing of them.

"The HSE has been considering arrangements for a transition of the three services in the past number of weeks. A major part of today's meeting was to discuss with David Hall a specific proposal for the continuation of the three services.

"These discussions will continue today. It would be inappropriate to the discussions and unhelpful to the vulnerable users of the three services to make any further comment at this time."

Earlier The Interim CEO of Console David Hall, (pictured) is meeting with staff this afternoon amid fears the charity may be wound down.

There were calls earlier for the charity regulator to appear before the Dáil's Public Accounts Committee.

The HSE are due before the PAC next Friday to discuss the funding for Console.

TD Catherine Connolly has said serious questions have been raised about the charity: It’s an issue that we must deal with, ask questions, hold the health executive to account, for allocating tax payers money, how did they allocate that, was there supervision and so on.

“They are the questions for us. Separately entirely then is Console and what the people on the ground are left with.

“The tragedy that’s on the ground in relation to the people they were dealing with.”