Mary Henry (Independent)

Several Senators mentioned the increase in violence, especially among young people, and in under age drinking. I call on the Leader of the House to ask the Minister for Health and Children to come to the House to explain why, at very short notice, he cancelled courses in both Trinity College, Dublin and University College Dublin for clinical psychologists, the very people who deal with such issues. There is a shortage of at least 50 clinical psychologists in health boards at present. There is also a shortage in the courts, the probation and welfare service and many other areas. When I asked the Minister for Education and Science, he knew nothing about this initiative.

With such an apparent need within the services, particularly in view of the problems that have been pointed out by other Senators, it is extraordinary that the Minister for Health and Children should have abandoned these courses at two weeks notice. As I stated during the education debate last week, some people gave up jobs to take part in the courses and were left high and dry.