I propose to take Questions Nos. 301 and 302 together.
Universities are autonomous institutions within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997. The management of their academic affairs, including the establishment of entry requirements, is a matter for individual universities. Neither I nor the Department has any role in relation to such matters.
There are a number of doctoral courses available in Ireland that are accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland:
- Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology: Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick
- Doctorate in Educational Psychology: University College Dublin
- Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology: Trinity College Dublin
- Doctorate in Clinical Psychology: Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, University College Dublin, NUI Galway, University College Cork
Additionally, Maynooth University and the NUI Galway are providers of structured PhD programmes in Psychology.
Higher education institutions are academically independent and the level of tuition fees charged for their postgraduate programmes is a matter for the institutions themselves to determine. Accordingly, I have no role in determining tuition fees for these programmes.
I would like the Deputy to note that, in relation to the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, the HSE provides sponsorship to trainees of 60% of fees, with the trainee responsible for 40% of the shortfall. Depending on the higher education institution, this equates to €5,200 - €5,800 per annum.
Students may be eligible for a postgraduate grant at and can determine their eligibility at https://susi.ie/eligibility/income/.
Students can also claim tax relief on fees (including the student contribution) that have been paid for third level education courses. Further information can be found at https://www.revenue.ie/en/personal-tax-credits-reliefs-and-exemptions/education/tuition-fees-paid-for-third-level-education/index.aspx.