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.