Mental Health Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed)
Seanad Éireann — 2025-12-09
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Mary Butler (FF), Waterford

I thank both Senators for articulating their support for psychology, which I fully endorse. The only reason psychologists are not explicitly included in the definition of "mental healthcare professional" is that the profession is not yet registered by CORU. I have a personal interest in this matter. I have met with CORU on the issue and there is ongoing engagement between it and my Department to progress the registration of psychologists. I have a very good working relationship with the Psychological Society of Ireland, PSI. In fact, I recently spoke at its annual conference. The PSI wrote to me during the summer to let me know it is fully supportive of the aims of the Bill. I am keen to see the registration of psychologists by CORU happen as quickly as possible.
Once that is in place, officials in my Department will look to include psychologists within the definition of "mental healthcare professional". The definition has been carefully worded to state that the Minister may, by regulation, which is to say by way of statutory instrument, designate other professionals under the Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005. The Department's intention is to designate psychologists for the purposes of this Bill following the impending regulation of psychology by CORU.
We have 81 CAMHS teams, comprising 76 plus five special teams. Every single team is multidisciplinary and includes professionals from psychiatry and psychology, clinical nurse specialists and social workers. Our new crisis resolution teams are the exact same. I announced three further teams in the budget, comprising one each for Donegal, Kerry and the midlands. Psychology plays a role there. There are 14 adult ADHD teams funded, nine of which are in place and five under recruitment. Again, psychology plays a significant role there. Perinatal mental health supports are in place across all 19 maternity hospitals, with psychology and psychosocial support playing a huge role.
I am fully on board with the Senators on this issue. I cannot accept the amendments because what they propose is already dealt with in the Bill, but I fully support what they are trying to achieve. I look forward, as soon as psychologists are registered with CORU, to signing the statutory instrument that will change the make-up of the Bill.

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Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:26+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-12-09