Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1293. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to provide funding for the training of educational psychologists; and his plans to address this in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42176/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1295. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that he is taking to address the barriers to training for educational psychologists, particularly in relation to completing the necessary three-year PhD which currently is not subsidised in order to address the shortage of educational psychologists and consequential waiting lists for patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42210/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1293 and 1295 together.
My Department is strongly committed to supporting the wellbeing of the population through the provision of graduates with the key competencies and skills to be effective in the health and education workforce, and support a range of public services, including educational psychology.
In this context, the Department is engaging on an ongoing basis with the Department of Health, the Department of Education and other relevant stakeholders with regard to how the further and higher education system can best support workforce planning for the delivery of essential public services.
The National Health and Social Care Professions Office in the HSE have advised my Department that the Psychology Project Team completed a report in 2021 which recommended the development of a workforce plan for psychology, including educational psychology. My Department understands that implementation of the recommendations in this report is currently being examined by the HSE including in light of overall resource requirements arising.
Progress in relation to workforce planning in this area by the Department of Health and the Department of Education will inform the Funding the Future reform process for higher education, a key focus of which, in collaboration with professional regulators, is on ensuring an appropriate pipeline of suitably qualified individuals to enable the delivery of essential public services in areas such as health, education and social care.
The main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme. Currently Postgraduate students who meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant under the Student Grant Scheme are eligible for the postgraduate special rate of maintenance grant. The income threshold for this grant is €24,500, also special rate postgraduate students are eligible to have their post graduate tuition fees paid up to the maximum fee limit of €6,270. All other postgraduate students who earn below the income threshold of €54,240 in 2021/22 qualify for postgraduate fee contribution of €3,500.
