Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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445. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 306 of 10 November 2022, if the structure of the €750,000 funding announced in Budget 2023 in relation to trainee counselling psychologists has been finalised; if so, the number of trainees who will benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6029/23]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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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 in 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.

I am focussed on supporting counselling psychology students in an equitable way that benefits students, and that delivers value for money. The structure of this funding is currently being finalised by officials in my Department and will be applied as soon as possible to allow support for those undertaking studies. The approach will be based on best practice and knowledge gained from other health and social care funded training models.

Further detailed discussions are now taking 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.