Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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271. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason that a trainee educational psychologist completing a doctorate is the only professional doctorate programme which is not Government funded; the reason for this inequality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48874/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department is strongly committed to supporting the health and wellbeing 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. 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 Department of Health and the Department of Education.