Vol. 430 No. 2
73 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Health the number of psychologists who are employed by the Eastern Health Board at the present time; the number of posts which are vacant in the psychological services in the Eastern Health Board; and the reason they have not been filled.
At present, there are 19.5 wholetime equivalent posts in psychology under the aegis of the Eastern Health Board, which are occupied. In addition, there are five vacant posts.
Vacancies are filled by means of open competitions held by the Local Appointments Commission. It is understood that there is some difficulty experienced in recruiting personnel to the psychology services of the health boards. Opinion is divided as to whether this is due to the number of qualified psychologists generally, to the number of psychologists interested in pursuing a career in the health services specifically, or to the availability of other career options both here and abroad.
I understand that the Local Appointments Commission will advertise a number of psychological posts within the Eastern Health Board in the national press this week.
