Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

222. To ask the Minister for Health when the €750,000 funding for counselling psychology training places in 2023 will commence; if it will be accessible for current students or only for students present in the new academic year beginning September 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52150/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services.  This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision. It will enhance the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery. The funding will enable us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.

 In relation to the HSE Mental Health care programme, €750,000 has been provided in Budget 2023 to support counselling psychology training places. This funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthen access to psychology training. Further detailed discussions will now take place between the Department and HSE to progress both this and wider commitments of the 2023 Budget in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

223. To ask the Minister for Health if current final year counselling psychology doctoral students will have access to the €750,000 announced to fund counselling psychology training places in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52151/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services.  This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision. It will enhance the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery. The funding will enable us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.

 In relation to the HSE Mental Health care programme, €750,000 has been provided in Budget 2023 to support counselling psychology training places. This funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthen access to psychology training. Further detailed discussions will now take place between the Department and HSE to progress both this and wider commitments of the 2023 Budget in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023.