Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Browne for bringing the information to my attention. I will ask the HSE to examine what he has said and revert directly to him on it.

In 2015, the HSE established a review group to examine the eligibility criteria for employment as a psychologist. In its review the group was guided by the changes to models of care, by service user safety, by maximising our resources and flexibility in response to service need, as well as by developments in training and education in professional psychology disciplines. The review was completed in 2016 and made recommendations to the HSE. The review group decided to review the existing care group delineation and to move the requirement away from named psychology qualifications solely to that combination of qualification and placement. A key recommendation is the reduction in care groups from eight to four, effective from 1 March 2016.

A group will be formed comprising the health business services recruit managers and principal psychology managers. This group will consider any new definitions to be used in advance of competitions, as well as dealing with unforeseen or difficult decisions that may arise. This will ensure that fairness and consistency can be protected. I will ask that they will take on board the point Deputy Browne has made. A national psychology placement office will also be established to assist with placement identification and allocation. To prepare for its implementation, a project team will be established to advance the recommendations. There is quite a significant lead-in time to get this right and I will make sure any engagement that needs to happen with stakeholders does take place.

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