The Psychological Society of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation The Psychological Society of Ireland

Date published 20 Jan, 2024

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Health

Period 1 Sep, 2023 to 31 Dec, 2023

Specific Details PSI's role on CORU's Expert Advisory Board and the PSI's position on the regulation of the profession of psychology.

Intended results Inclusion on the CORU Expert Advisory Board and an invitation to participate in their consultation on the regulation of the profession of psychology.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity PSI President and Council Member

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Submission (1)

The PSI submitted their 2024 Pre-Budget Submission to Minister of Finance, Michael McGrath. The Pre-budget submission outlined two requests - 1. Fund an additional 50 trainee psychology posts across the professional doctoral programmes for a 5-year period which would necessitate an additional €2.52 million in funding per years. 2. The Government must fund the HSE to enact the establishment of their own recommendations for the establishment of a National Psychology Placement Office.

Letter (2-5)

Two letters directed to Minister of Health, Stephen Donnelly and Minister of State with Responsibility for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler, expressing concern about its diminished involvement in the statutory regulation process for the psychology profession, particularly its exclusion from the Expert Advisory Group established by CORU. The PSI emphasises that a regulatory framework developed without their expertise would not serve the best interests of the profession or the public.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Stephen Donnelly Minister (Department of Health)

Mary Butler Minister of State (Department of Health)

Michael McGrath Minister (Department of Finance)