Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 February 2024
290. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update on the funding supports available for educational psychologists, in particular matching HSE funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6248/24]
View answerSince January of 2023, NEPS is supporting bursaries for students who are enrolled in the University College Dublin (UCD) Professional Doctorate in Educational Psychology and the Mary Immaculate College (MIC), Limerick’s Professional Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology for Trainee Educational Psychologists. Those in receipt of a bursary commit to joining NEPS upon graduation.
As of February 2024 there are 15 graduates in 2023 who have received a bursary and a further 45 Trainee Educational Psychologists currently in receipt of a bursary who are expected will fill a vacancy in NEPS upon graduation, over the next three years.
The current funding supports available under the scheme while training to become an educational psychologist come to a maximum sum of €40,000 per each of the three academic years of study and cover:
- tuition fees
- annual maintenance/living expenses
The HSE also employs Educational Psychologists. Some HSE CHOs have introduced a funded model for Trainee Educational Psychologists (TEPS) that comprises a temporary employment contract for the duration of their professional training programme. It is understood that the Department model provides a commensurate level of financial support to that available through the HSE.
