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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 3

Written Answers. - Psychological Service.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

383 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make the funds available to allow 12 people commence a doctorate in clinical psychology in Trinity College Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20172/02]

I understand that in September 2000 a bidding process involving the health agencies was initiated by my colleague the Minister for Health and Children for the provision of increased psychology training places in response to the recommendations of the joint review group on psychological services in the health services. Given the urgency of the need to provide additional training places, all the increased training places were allocated to the Psychological Society of Ireland's postgraduate diploma course for a period of three years since the other existing training providers were not in a position at that time to provide the places within the required timeframe. Funding for the creation of 30 trainee psychologist posts and also for the payment of course fees was allocated to the successful applicants in November 2001.

In August 2002 the Northern Area Health Board applied to the Department of Health and Children for additional funding to be made available to support the provision of six extra places on the clinical psychology programme at Trinity College Dublin. As the substantial funding allocated by the Department of Health and Children supporting the extra 30 PSI training places has been distributed to those agencies who participated in the bidding process in 2000, I understand this request is being examined by the Department of Health and Children in the context of the 2003 funding provision. My Department is continuing to work with the Department of Health and Children to ensure the adequate provision of training places consistent with the human resource requirements of the health services.
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