Sandbox
The Addiction Counsellors of Ireland (ACI) has officially unveiled its new Strategic Plan 2026–2029. The strategy was launched during the organization’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Talbot Hotel in Carlow by Jennifer Murnane O’Connor, Minister of State with responsibility for Public Health, Wellbeing, and the National Drugs Strategy, alongside ACI Board member John Devlin.
The three-year strategic roadmap arrives at a critical juncture for the addiction and mental health sectors in Ireland. As treatment demand for substance dependency and process addictions (such as gambling and digital addiction) continues to rise, the ACI is positioning itself to lead its members through major regulatory transitions, workforce pressures, and evolving clinical practices.
The Road to CORU Statutory Regulation
One of the most important elements of the ACI Strategic Plan 2026–2029 is the preparation for the upcoming CORU statutory regulation of the counselling and psychotherapy professions in Ireland. CORU, Ireland's multi-profession health and social care regulator, is in the process of establishing registration boards to set national standards for education, conduct, and professional suitability.
For addiction counsellors, statutory regulation represents a major milestone that will protect the public by ensuring only registered professionals can practice under protected titles. The ACI's new strategy dedicates substantial resources to helping members navigate the grandfathering and registration processes, aligning ACI's internal accreditation standards with CORU's statutory requirements.
🎓 CORU Alignment & Standards
The alignment with CORU will elevate professional standards across the addiction sector, establishing greater recognition and clinical parity with other state-registered health and social care professionals in the HSE.
The Four Strategic Pillars
The strategic plan outlines ACI’s operational roadmap structured around four primary pillars:
- Serving Members and Building Membership: Strengthening communication, expanding support networks for regional practitioners, and building a unified professional identity for accredited counsellors and addiction support workers.
- Supporting Professional Development: Developing a modernized Continuous Professional Development (CPD) framework to equip counsellors with the skills required to address complex, co-occurring disorders (dual diagnosis) and process addictions.
- Advocating and Influencing: Engaging with government departments, the HSE, and national policy committees to lobby for greater funding, professional recognition, and inclusion of addiction counsellors in public sector recruitment pipelines.
- Organisational Development and Sustainability: Upgrading ACI’s administrative infrastructure, digital tools, and governance policies to ensure long-term operational sustainability.
Addressing Evolving Addictive Behaviors
The ACI strategy acknowledges that the nature of addiction is changing. While alcohol and traditional substance use continue to represent the majority of cases presenting for treatment, counsellors are increasingly reporting clients presenting with process addictions. The plan outlines a commitment to developing specialized training models and clinical guidelines to support members addressing these emerging behavioral disorders.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Jennifer Murnane O’Connor commended the ACI’s proactive approach: “The Addiction Counsellors of Ireland plays a vital role in our healthcare ecosystem. As we implement the National Drugs Strategy, having a highly qualified, accredited, and eventually state-regulated workforce of addiction counsellors is essential. This strategic plan demonstrates ACI’s commitment to ensuring the highest standards of care for vulnerable individuals and families in our communities.”
ACI Board member John Devlin, who presented the strategy, highlighted the resilience of the workforce: “This plan is about securing the future of our profession. By focusing on professional development, advocacy, and regulatory preparedness, we are ensuring that ACI members remain at the forefront of ethical, evidence-based addiction care in Ireland.”
