Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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719. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 391 of 6 October 2022, the reason that the Government is funding one cohort of trainees but not another, even though both are eligible for the same posts in child disability and psychology services post-qualification; the rationale behind this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51327/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As indicated in my response to the Deputy's question of 6 October last, a total of over €1.2 billion for Mental Health was provided in Budget 2023. This significant investment will enable continued improvement for the HSE Mental Health care programme over next year.

As I also indicated in my reply, €750,000 was provided in Budget 2023 to allow the HSE to support counselling psychology training places. This funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthen access to psychology training. This is a new and specific initiative, prioritised by the HSE to enhance mental health care overall. As happens each year following the Budget, detailed discussions are progressing between the Department and HSE to improve Mental Health care arising from Budget 2023 and in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan for next year.

I re-iterate my understanding that the Minister for Education and her Department very much value the work of all educational psychologists across the education system and that they are working intensively to find a positive resolution for the issue of fees for trainee educational psychologists.

The Department of Health will continue to work collaboratively with the Department of Education and other Government Departments as required on wider workforce planning issues for health and social care professionals, including on future planning in terms of psychology education, training, and placement. This approach will, separately, support the implementation of Sharing the Vision.

The Deputy may wish to ask the views of the Minister for Education with regard to funding for the area of Educational Child Psychologists, which is under her remit.