Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
540. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to points of concerns raised by a trainee psychologist (details supplied) in respect of the proposed changes in funding for trainee educational psychologists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19083/23]
View answer560. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that current trainee educational psychologists in a third-level institution (details supplied) will receive the same renumeration and funding supports as incoming first years. [19183/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 540 and 560 together.
The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) of the Department of Education provides a school-based psychological service to all recognised primary and post-primary schools through the application of psychological theory and practice to support the well-being, and the academic, social and emotional development of all learners. This approach allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent individual cases and, through supporting school staff, to benefit many more children than could be seen individually.
A working group is examining the matter of how NEPS can continue to recruit adequate numbers of suitably qualified staff and continue to respond to the educational psychological needs of children in recognised primary and post-primary schools across the country. To address supply issues in the medium to long term a workforce plan for educational psychologists is being developed within the Department of Education and work has begun with other Government Departments to advance this.
As an immediate short-term measure, the Department of Education introduced a bursary to support Trainee Educational Psychologists currently in their third year (or third year equivalent) of professional training in University College Dublin (UCD) and Mary Immaculate College (MIC), who expect to graduate in 2023.
The HSE employs psychology trainees who are paid according to the approved Health Sector salary scale. The HSE pays 60% of fees in exchange for the type of contract wherein a psychologist student is required to work in the health service on completion of their PhD, covering a period of three years following qualification.
The selection processes for the trainee psychologist grade are highly competitive and oversubscribed, and recruitment is 100% successful. Trainees complete training places in their sponsoring area, carry a caseload, contribute to KPIs, increase capacity and complete doctoral research to raise standards of care.
€750,000 was provided in Budget 2023 to support counselling psychology training places. Minister Butler is focussed on supporting counselling psychology students in an equitable way that delivers value for money. This funding will be used to support strategic workforce planning for the years ahead in order that the counselling needs of the health service are better met.
The structure of this funding is currently being finalised by the Department of Health. The approach will reflect best practice and knowledge gained from other health and social care funded training models. Minister Butler hopes to be able to announce the details shortly for academic year 2023-2024.
