The lack of regulations governing counsellors and psychotherapists in Ireland is putting vulnerable people at serious risk, the president of the Irish Association of Suicidology has said.

Currently in Ireland, there are no statutory regulations for the registration of these mental health professionals. According to Dan Neville, who is also a Fine Gael TD, this means that ‘there is no State control over what qualifications are held by those practising in these areas'.

"Anyone can put up a sign stating they are a counsellor or psychotherapist and charge €80 per hour for a service which they may not be suitably qualified for. This is extremely dangerous for vulnerable people. We need a system of statutory regulation to ensure these professions are properly monitored and that adequate standards are met," he insisted.

He noted that the while the Health and Social Care Professionals Act lists designated professions, the professions of counselling and psychotherapy are not included.

He has been asking for these professions to be included on this list since 2005.

"A psychological therapies forum - encompassing 22 organisations - exists, but unfortunately this means we have been left with a system of self-regulation. This cannot be allowed to continue and it is critical that the situation is addressed to avoid vulnerable people in crisis being damaged by counsellors and psychotherapists who are not properly trained or qualified," Mr Neville said.

Meanwhile, he also welcomed recent comments by Gerry Raleigh of the HSE's National Office for Suicide Prevention, who warned of the dangers of using counseling services that have not been properly vetted.

Mr Raleigh warned that people who are in crisis, including those who are having suicidal thoughts, should avoid such services as the professionals involved may not be adequately trained.