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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 10 Apr 2003

Vol. 565 No. 2

Written Answers. - Psychological Service.

Joan Burton

Ceist:

302 Ms Burton asked the Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the Government's commitment to implement the report of the joint review group in respect of psychological services. [10536/03]

Liz McManus

Ceist:

308 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the joint review group's recommendation for psychological services, in view of the Government's commitment to implement same and its failure to do so; when he intends to proceed with these recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10586/03]

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 302 and 308 together.

The report of the joint review group on psychological services in the health services was published in March 2002. My Department is currently supporting the implementation of a key recommendation of the report relating to human resource planning through the provision of an additional 30 training places in clinical psychology. This represents a doubling in the number of trainee clinical psychologists employed in the health services.

I understand that, following a request received from my Department, the director of the health boards executive has undertaken to work with the directors of human resources in the health boards to develop an approach to facilitate the implementation of the recommendations of the joint review group. This will be undertaken in the light of service imperatives, funding priorities and relevant developments such as the recommendations on investment in education and training included in the action plan for people management published in November 2002.
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