Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 May 2022
160. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to address funding inequality in relation to studying counselling or educational psychology in which students pay approximately €45,000 in fees over three years without receiving payment for the work often provided to public services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25364/22]
View answerMy Department is strongly committed to supporting the mental health of the population through the provision of graduates with the key competencies and skills to be effective in the health workforce, and support a range of clinical teams in our health services.My Department understands there is a longstanding arrangement in place under which the HSE recruit Trainee Clinical Psychologists and sponsor their training in order to encourage employment with the HSE of suitably qualified professionals. This arrangement is made by the HSE and is not the responsibility of my Department. The question of whether similar arrangements should be put in place in relation to other psychological specialities in order to meet their workforce needs is a matter for consideration by the appropriate recruiting bodies.
Issues arising from sponsorships and employment eligibility in relation to psychologists, and indeed more generally, are matters for relevant employers rather than the responsibility of my Department.
