The counselling charity Pieta has given a guarantee to local representatives and stakeholders that its Tuam service will remain – despite earlier fears for its future.

This emerged from a 90-minute meeting organised by Galway East TD Sean Canney with the CEO of Pieta Stephanie Manahan in Tuam to discuss their plans for Pieta in Tuam.

At the meeting, Pieta gave a commitment that the service will remain in Tuam, but it is also clear that a decision on co-locating the service is still being considered – and the deputation stressed the need to retain the facility in Bishop Street where is has been successfully providing a brilliant over the last eleven years.

There had previously been suggestions that the services be moved to the Tuam Primary Care Centre but it is felt that the lack of privacy may result in an uncomfortable situation for those who use the service.

Ms Manahan was accompanied by Pieta National Clinical Director Emma Dolan and Pieta West Regional Manager Nessa Naughton.

The meeting was attended by John Concannon, Gerry Coffey, Michael Ryder, and James Donelon who were heavily involved in fundraising and the setting up of the facility in Tuam.

Also, in attendance were Cllr. Donagh Killilea, Chair of the HSE Forum, and Cllrs Karey McHugh and Ollie Turner.

And afterwards in a statement,  Ms Manahan reaffirmed the charity’s commitment to Tuam.

“Pieta is aware that there has been concern raised locally in relation to the future of our services in Tuam,” she said.

“We in Pieta have always given an unwavering commitment to maintaining our services in Tuam and to continue supporting our clients as we have done for twelve years.

“Pieta has absolutely no intention of leaving Tuam,” she added.

She did acknowledge that increasing costs at their current location had prompted a review of how best to maintain current services – and she admitted that they were ‘currently assessing the best location to provide these clinical services’.

“Our services to our clients will continue uninterrupted during this period – and indeed, once a location is identified to sustain this vital service for clients long into the future,” she added.

Pieta House provides a 24-hour service with a range of counselling services for those who are suicidal, engage in self-harm or who are bereaved by suicide.

Pictured: Discussions….Pieta House Tuam.