Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independents 4 Change) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. That would be good because he is in government and should be working in tandem regarding what is needed. In recent years, counselling psychology training moved from a masters to a doctoral level. In the time since that change has happened, there have been approximately 444 psychologists in counselling training on courses. Collectively, they have paid approximately €2.8 million in fees and, more specifically, counselling psychologists in training have contributed approximately 65,000 direct contact hours during their training. All of this work with children, adults, families and communities was delivered free with no wage funding or reduced fees.

There has to be a link between the Minister's Department and the HSE because we know 2,500 children and adolescents are on waiting lists for CAMHS. There are 3,300 adults on waiting lists for counselling appointments. Some 200 psychologist posts in the HSE remain unfilled, which is a serious issue, in particular when we know what is coming down the road regarding the effect the pandemic has had on communities all over the country.

See this speech in context