Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 March 2023
288. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1513 of 21 March 2023, if the €750,000 funding announced for trainee counselling psychologists will include support for current trainees who are already undertaking their three-year doctorate programme; if not, if it will just be for first year students beginning in the 2023-2024 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15842/23]
View answer289. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1513 of 21 March 2023, the timeline he is working towards in announcing the details of the €750,000 funding for trainee counselling psychologists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15843/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 288 and 289 together.
As the Deputy is aware, €750,000 has been provided in Budget 2023 to support counselling psychology training places. This funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthen access to psychology training.
I am focussed on using the funding from Budget 2023 to support counselling psychology students in an equitable way that benefits all students in all years of the Doctorate in Counselling Psychology, and that delivers value for money. The structure of this funding is currently being finalised by officials in the Department. The approach will be based on best practice and knowledge gained from other health and social care funded training models.
Further detailed discussions are now taking place between the Department and HSE to progress this. I hope to be in a position to announce the details shortly for academic year 2023-2024.
