Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I raise the plight of assistant psychologists. These people study for three years for their undergraduate degrees, and most of them pay approximately €10,000 to do their masters degrees. They then become assistant psychologists but they do not get paid work. To get paid work, they have to study for clinical doctorates but in to gain admission to the relevant course, they have to have experience. These young people are then forced to work for nothing. I know a young lady who works five days a week in a local business for the minimum wage and then works two days a week, free of charge, as an assistant psychologist. This lady is working seven days a week for the minimum wage. Most of those jobs are in Dublin so she is travelling from the country to Dublin for two days a week, putting petrol in her car and having to stay overnight, to work for the minimum wage. That is not good enough. She uses the few bob she earns from the local business to fund her working. I strongly believe that there is not a trainee psychiatrist in this country who is asked to do that. It is not fair or equal that a psychologist would have to do it. As we all know, the waiting lists for people suffering with mental health issues are very long. That puts pressure on general practitioners, who are struggling. There is also a waiting list for children with educational difficulties, therefore, there is a clear need for clinical psychologists.

I ask the Leader to consider inviting the Minister to the House for a discussion on this issue. It is not fair that young people who pay for their college education and study hard end up having to work free of charge. I welcome the children who are in the Public Gallery. Some of them might be assistant psychologists one day and I hope when that day comes, they will be paid for their efforts.