Two Laois politicians have issued an urgent call for immediate Government funding to prevent the closure of SOSAD, a vital mental health charity that provides free, life-saving support in Portlaoise and across Ireland.
Sinn Fein Senator Maria McCormack and Independent TD Brian Stanley have both made statements on the issue this week.
It comes after the charity announced that it had to shut down its text messaging service which allowed the people in search of help to reach them between 8pm and midnight.
Employees and volunteers with the national service travelled to the Dáil on March 4 to highlight what’s described as a ‘crisis point for the charity’.
They told TDs and Senators that despite a November 5, 2024 commitment from a Government Minister that funding would be provided, no interim or capital funding has been delivered.
Speaking after attending a meeting with SOSAD representatives, Senator McCormack expressed deep concern over the charity’s imminent closure due to lack of funding.
She said: ”SoSAD is a crucial service for our community, offering free one-to-one counselling and a 24-hour helpline for those in crisis.
”They provide DVT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) and suicide bereavement counselling, ensuring that nobody is left without support.
“They don’t just refer people elsewhere—they stay with them until they get the help they need,” McCormack stated.
Deputy Brian Stanley addressed the Taoiseach saying: “This is a vital service.
“It takes referrals from a number of bodies, including the HSE. It is made up of mainly volunteers and has only 16 full-time staff nationally.
“It is trying to get a service level agreement in place. The Minister for Health is here today.
“Perhaps she will address this issue. The organisation needs €60,000 a month to keep going for the next five months or so.”
In response to Deputy Stanley, The Taoiseach stated: “The Minister of State, Deputy Mary Butler, met SOSAD before Christmas. My Understanding is that there has been ongoing engagement between SOSAD and the HSE mental health services.
“That will continue. Engagement is continuing with the HSE in Louth-Meath and SOSAD on the steps required to complete a funding application. It is doing very good work.
“As I said, the Minister met the organisation to outline the steps that need to be taken for any potential funding application under the section 39 process.
“As the Deputy knows, as per any negotiation between the HSE and a charity organisation, information such as audited accounts, annual reports, governance arrangements and a bord of management are required so that the HSE can undertake due diligence as part of its consideration.
“SOSAD is now working to provide all of that information to the HSE. It is hoped we can get this sorted”
Organisations such as the HSE and Pieta House, which receive substantial public funding, continue to refer people to SoSAD—yet the charity itself is left to survive on volunteer efforts and community donations.
“Portlaoise is one of Ireland’s fastest-growing towns, and demand for mental health support is soaring. From 2023 to 2024, requests for SoSAD’s services increased by 85%, seeing another 25% increase for 2025. If they close, what happens to those people? There is no alternative service that can replace them,” McCormack warned.
She also pledged to work with Christy Bannon, a well-known mental health advocate in Laois and founder of SOSAD, to explore fundraising opportunities and continue pressuring the Government for action.
McCormack and Stanley are all calling on the Minister for Mental Health and the Government to urgently release emergency funding to sustain SOSAD’s operations, ensuring that no person in crisis is left without support.
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