Marie Sherlock (Dublin Central, Labour)
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104. To ask the Minister for Health the steps she is taking to expedite the long delays in processing the applications for recognition to practice for psychologists; and if she will consider waiving of the 60-day clinical practice requirement for those coming from the UK and a temporary restriction of their practice, in order to bring more psychologists into practice within the HSE. [64372/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As Minister for Health, I am the competent authority for psychologists. This includes recognition of clinical, counselling and educational psychology qualifications. Recognition is required for employment in the publicly funded sector in Ireland.

Officials in the Validation Unit in my Department administer the process. Qualifications are assessed under the EU Professional Qualifications Directive.

The Department is advised in the process by the Psychological Society of Ireland. An Expert Validation Committee assesses applications and makes recommendations to the Department. On receiving the recommendation, the Validation Unit issues a decision letter to applicants.

Under the Directive, decisions on applications should be made within 4 months. Decisions on applications outside the Directive’s scope are issued within 6 months. The Validation Unit works hard to deliver decisions within the required timelines.

Qualifications are assessed against those required for employment in the HSE. Assessments of professional qualifications and experience are on a case-by-case basis. This process takes time given the expert input required.

Some applicants will have deficits in their qualifications compared to the Irish qualification. They will then have to complete a compensation measure. This is required so that their qualification aligns with the Irish qualification.

Recognition helps ensure all HSE psychologists are trained to the same high standard. The recognition process helps to protect service users.