Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 5

Written Answers - Psychological Service.

Seán Haughey

Question:

280 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children if he is concerned about the number of vacant psychology posts in the country; if he will implement the recommendations of the joint review of psychological career structures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9822/03]

Dan Neville

Question:

299 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children when he plans to implement the recommendations of the report of the joint review group on psychology services in the health service. [9989/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 280 and 299 together.

Significant progress has been made in addressing the human resource requirements of the health service in the area of psychology. In the year to end-2001 there has been an increase of more than 100% – +30 posts to approximately 60 – in the number of trainee clinical psychologists employed. A further 12 trainee clinical psychology posts were created earlier this year through the recommencement of the doctorate in clinical psychology at TCD. The Deputy may also wish to note the significant increase, in excess of 30% – +91 to 380 – over the past two years in the numbers of fully qualified psychologists working in the health service.

The report of the joint review group on psychological services in the health services was published in March 2002. My Department is currently supporting the implementation of a key recommendation of the report relating to human resource planning through the provision of an additional 30 training places in psychology.

I understand that, following a request received from my Department, the director of the health boards executive has undertaken to work with the directors of human resources in the health boards to develop an approach to facilitate the implementation of the recommendations of the joint review group. This will be undertaken in light of service imperatives, funding priorities and relevant developments such as the recommendations on investment in education and training included in the action plan for people management published in November 2002.