Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1296. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on funding the PhD in educational psychology to emulate the subsidised training for clinical psychologists during which trainees are paid in order to ensure that all trainees are treated fairly financially to help address the shortage in psychologists in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42211/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is strongly committed to supporting the mental health of the population through the provision of graduates with the key competencies and skills to be effective in the health workforce, and support a range of clinical teams in our health services.
My Department understands there is a longstanding arrangement in place under which the HSE, and indeed former Health Boards, 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 whether similar arrangements should be put in place in relation to other psychological specialties in order to meet their workforce needs is a matter for consideration by the appropriate recruiting bodies.
The National Health and Social Care Professions Office in the HSE have advised me that the Psychology Project Team completed a report in 2021 which recommended the development of a workforce plan for psychology and the creation of a National Psychology Placement Office. Implementation of the recommendations in this report is being considered by the HSE in the context of resource requirements Implementation of the report’s recommendations and the creation of a National Psychology Placement Office are a matter for the HSE to prioritise in the context of available resources.
In conclusion, issues arising from sponsorships and employment eligibility in relation to psychologists, and indeed more generally, are matters for relevant employers rather than the responsibility of my Department.
