Third Level Fees

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020

Tuesday, 15 September 2020

Ceisteanna (555)

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

555. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will request that the universities provide a fee waiver or other financial support for the students in the doctorate in clinical psychology programme who were unable to complete their required clinical placements due to HSE Covid-19 redeployments and as a result may be liable for an additional year of doctorate fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23794/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Higher Education Institutions are governed by the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technologies Acts 1992 to 2006 and the Technological Universities Act 2018. Within the meaning of these Acts, HEIs are autonomous with regard to the management of their academic affairs and as such retain the right to determine their own procedures, criteria and processes including in relation to the delivery of postgraduate academic programmes.

As such, my Department does not have a role in tuition fee arrangements or clinical placements of students enrolled in the doctorate in clinical psychology programmes. Arrangements relating to the provision and supervision of clinical placements of trainee clinical psychologists are a matter for the relevant Universities and the HSE.