Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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452. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to increase funding supports for psychology doctoral students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27521/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department understands there is a longstanding arrangement in place under which the HSE, and indeed former Health Boards, recruit Trainee Clinical Psychologists and sponsor their training in order to encourage employment with the HSE of suitably qualified professionals. This arrangement is made by the HSE and is not the responsibility of my Department.

The question of whether similar arrangements should be put in place in relation to other psychological specialties in order to meet their workforce needs is a matter for consideration by the appropriate recruiting bodies.

Furthermore, my Department also understands that on the basis of the recommendations of the 2017 Report of Psychology Review Implementation Group the HSE introduced revised eligibility criteria for recruitment to HSE psychologist positions involving a combination of the consideration of qualification and placements or supervised work experience when determining a person's eligibility for employment. My Department does not have a role in relation to placement arrangements in organisations such as the National Educational Psychological Service or the HSE for students enrolled on these programmes.

Issues arising from sponsorships and employment eligibility in relation to psychologists, and indeed more generally, are matters for relevant employers rather than the responsibility of my Department.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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453. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount of funding needed to update the research framework to operate with PhD candidates as full employees of their institutions, rather than as students receiving grants or stipends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27533/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Doctoral education programmes in Ireland educate and develop researchers to the highest skills levels so that they become creative, critical and independent individuals who will advance the boundaries of research. Through the process of doctoral education, the student is provided with opportunities to develop a range of skills to a very advanced level. These skills relate both to the research process itself and to broader professional training and development.

In the academic year 2019/20, there were some 7,357 full time PhD students enrolled. There were also 1,327 full time research Masters students. In total there were 27,366 full time postgraduates enrolled in the academic year 2019/20. In addition, there are also part time students enrolled in these categories.

In relation to PhD students, a number would be in receipt of grants from research funders, a number would be receiving institutional or other scholarships, while others would be self-funded.

PhD students undertake a range of elements designed to further their training and development. In particular PhD students, in addition to conducting research, participate in other activities to develop generic and transferable skills, which can include a range of activities, such as taking tutorial groups, demonstrating at practical classes, co-supervising undergraduate projects and student mentoring.

I do not have full information on the hours involved by the PhD students in these activities to determine the basis upon which to make an estimate taking all of these factors into account.

Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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454. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider allowing social care students who are working in care settings and also studying to use these qualifying paid work hours as required work placement hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27535/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Placements for social care students are organised at the level of each individual Higher Education Institution (HEI), as part of their programme offerings to be delivered in conjunction with relevant placement providers. Where appropriate, each HEI will develop their programme offerings to meet the accreditation standards of relevant regulatory and professional recognition bodies including where placements are a requirement. In relation to health and social care programmes, the principal regulatory body is CORU, an Agency under the remit of the Department of Health, which sets the standards of education and training required for the professions which fall within its remit.