Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
1260. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing funded postgraduate places by 10% and the number of places that this would create for clinical psychology. [29924/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department allocates funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to designated HEIs. The HEA provides block grant funding to the Higher Education Sector, from within the allocation available, through the Recurrent Grant Allocation Model (RGAM) which is driven by overall student numbers. The grant is allocated as a block grant and the internal allocation is a matter for each institution.
In terms of clinical psychology places, my Department understands there is a longstanding arrangement in place under which the HSE recruit Trainee Clinical Psychologists and sponsor their training in order to encourage employment with the HSE of suitably qualified professionals. This arrangement is made by the HSE and is not the responsibility of my Department. The question of any costs associated with increasing the number of such funded places are matters for consideration by the appropriate recruiting bodies.
In terms of student numbers, I can advise that, based on 2020/21 full-time postgraduate clinical psychology enrolments (excluding Non-EU fee paying students), the Higher Education Authority (HEA) estimate a 10% increase would create c.19 additional student places.
