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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 5 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 3

Written Answers. - Psychology Course.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

515 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the course which was to commence on 7 October 2002 for a doctorate in clinical psychology has been deferred due to a lack of funding; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that the curtailment of funds will mean that only one clinical psychologist will qualify in 2005, despite the fact that in excess of 50 such specialists are required per annum; if funding will be provided to enable the course to run in conjunction with the northern area of the Eastern Health Board and TCD to commence in January 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19990/02]

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

531 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for withdrawing funding for the course of doctorate in clinical psychology in Trinity College Dublin; and if he will reinstate funding in order that these courses can continue. [20115/02]

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

569 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department has withdrawn funding from universities to train clinical psychologists, which will result in just one person graduating in that area in 2005. [20571/02]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 515, 531 and 569 together.

In September 2000, a bidding process involving health agencies was initiated by my Department 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 providing the additional training places, all the increased training places were allocated to the Psychological Society of Ireland's – PSI – 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 was allocated in November 2001 to the successful applicants for the creation of 30 trainee clinical psychologist posts and also for the payment of course fees.

In August, 2002 the Northern Area Health Board applied for additional funding to be made available to support the provision of six extra places on the TCD programme. As the substantial funding allocated by my Department, currently supporting the extra 30 PSI training places, has been distributed to those agencies who participated in the bidding process in 2000, this request is being examined in the context of the 2003 funding position. My Department is continuing to work with the Department of Education and Science and the Higher Education Authority to ensure adequate provision of training places consistent with the human resource requirements of the health services.

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