Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Oct 2001

Vol. 541 No. 2

Written Answers. - Psychological Service.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

404 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make moneys available for the provision of a facility for a new postgraduate programme for a doctorate of psychological science in clinical psychology to be carried out at University College Galway; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a purpose-built clinical psychology facility to accommodate new staff, students and specialist teaching areas is required at an estimated once-off cost of £750,000 approxi mately; if he will make arrangements to approve this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22343/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

My Department is participating in the joint review group on psychology services in the health service along with health service employers and IMPACT. A workforce planning exercise carried out in the context of the review recommended the provision of approximately 30 additional postgraduate training places in psychology. Following a competitive bidding process these additional places are being provided in the current year through the Psychological Society of Ireland's postgraduate diploma course. It is intended, subject to the availability of appropriate resources, to support a similar process in order to maintain this increased level of training places next year, in respect of which University College Galway will again be invited to participate.