The Psychological Society of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation The Psychological Society of Ireland

Date published 21 May, 2024

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Education and Training

Period 1 Jan, 2024 to 30 Apr, 2024

Specific Details Reform the DARE Scheme to include psychologists as Appropriate Professional eligible to verify Mental Health Conditions

Intended results The PSI wants to reform the DARE Scheme to ensure chartered clinical, counselling and educational psychologists are eligible to verify Mental Health Conditions (such as major depression, anxiety disorders e.g. SAD, OCD, etc.) and extend the requirement from three to five years for a recent diagnosis. This would remove the current unnecessarily restrictive practice resulting in delay & cost for applicants and expand reach of the program to benefit more students and their families.

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

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.

Letter (2-5)

A letter was sent to the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Minister of Education which called on both Ministers to review and reform the operation of the DARE Scheme, with a view to including appropriately qualified psychologists, in particular, clinical, counselling, and educational psychologists, in the verification process.

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.

Simon Harris Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)

Norma Foley Minister (Department of Education)