Seanad debates

Tuesday, 12 November 2002

Adjournment Matters. - Clinical Psychology Courses.

 

Mary Henry (Independent)

This is a serious issue, not just for the 12 postgraduates involved, but also for the country at large, given the serious shortage of clinical psychologists. The Northern Area Health Board of the Eastern Regional Health Authority established a doctoral programme in clinical psychology in Trinity College. The organisation came into play in January when various graduates were interviewed and selected. On 1 July they were informed they had places. Many of them gave up jobs to take up these college places, and the staff were put in place. One person was recruited from Queens University, Belfast, to come to Trinity College by which the staff were employed. In mid-September, with the course due to commence at the beginning of October, Trinity College was informed by the Northern Area Health Board that it had no funds to meet the salaries and fees of the new intake of students on the course. Over two months ago the board was seeking a meeting with the Department of Health and Children to try to secure the necessary funding.

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