Questions to the Minister for Health (Dr. Leo Varadkar, TD)
To ask the Minister for Health the reason counselling psychologists are not eligible to apply for Health Service Executive psychology posts to work with children and adolescents in disability services and adult mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. – Jerry Buttimer
To ask the Minister for Health if the ineligibility of counselling psychologists to apply for Health Service Executive psychology posts, to work with children and adolescents in disability services, and adult mental health services, will be reviewed; when such a review will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. – Jerry Buttimer
For WRITTEN ANSWER on Tuesday, 31 March 2015.
REPLY
Under Section 22 of the Health Act 2004, the HSE has the authority to appoint persons to be its employees and may determine their duties. The HSE’s National Recruitment Service conducts all recruitment activity for the Executive, including recruitment to psychology posts. The HSE is responsible for determining eligibility criteria for recruitment purposes. In this context these PQs are for direct reply by the HSE.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.