It looks likely that only one clinical psychologist will graduate in 2005 due to cutbacks in training programmes. At least 50 trainees should be graduating every year to meet future service needs, according to the findings of a recent review by the Health Service Employers Agency and IMPACT.
A new class of 12 trainees was due to start the three-year clinical psychology doctorate at Trinity College Dublin next month, but supervisors were told last week the Department of Health had withheld funding for the new intake.
University College Dublin normally accepts about 10 students for its doctorate programme, but only runs the course in two out of every three years due to funding difficulties. The course is not open to new students this year.
A diploma course is also run by the Psychological Society of Ireland with the University of Ulster, Jordanstown. To date, just one student has been registered for this year's programme. That student should graduate in 2005.
New training courses are at the planning stage in Limerick and Galway universities.
Clinical psychologists work in areas such as treating children with behavioural difficulties to working with adults suffering from mental health disorders.
Some patients are waiting a year or more for such services, said Dr Niamh Ross, chairwoman of the Psychological Society of Ireland's clinical division. She said there were more than 50 vacancies for clinical psychologists in the Eastern Regional Health Authority area alone.
