Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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523. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the Government intends to provide funding to trainee educational psychologist completing doctorates in a college (details supplied) as of budget 2023, given that this type of psychologist training is the only professional doctorate programme which is not Government funded; the measures that are being taken to alleviate these indiscretions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48612/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department is strongly committed to supporting the mental health of the population through the provision of graduates with the key competencies and skills to be effective in the health workforce, and support a range of clinical teams in our health services.

The main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI. The Student Grant Scheme supports eligible postgraduate students with the cost of attending higher education.

Apart from the student grant a number of supports are available to assist postgraduate research students in their studies. This includes a range of grants from research funders, institutional scholarships, as well as supports through Student Assistance Fund. Research students in receipt of grants must comply with the terms of their funding award from these bodies, which can vary from funder to funder.

My Department understands there is a longstanding arrangement in place under which the HSE 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.

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.