Psychologists: Trainee clinical psychologists at NUI, Galway, are undertaking casework for HSE North West for less than the minimum wage.
The group of third-year postgraduates say they are the only trainees within their class who are being sponsored on terms at odds with other health service executives - at a time when there is still a shortage of clinical psychologists at national level, and children referred for psychological assessment are waiting up to a year for an appointment.
Students sponsored by HSE West and HSE Midlands on the course are in receipt of a salary and full employee rights, as recommended by the Labour Court.
The Labour Court ruling of January 2005, had stated that such trainees currently on placement "should not be penalised", and should be covered by existing terms and conditions of employment until a new national agreement was reached by Impact and the HSE authority.
The ruling arose out of a dispute involving trainee clinical psychologists employed by health boards generally.
A joint Impact trade union/Employers review report in March 2002 had recommended that the number of such posts be increased to 50 on three-year contracts.
New courses were established at NUI, Galway and the University of Limerick to supplement those at University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, and Queen's University, Belfast.
Initially, the Department of Health and health boards had proposed a bursary scheme for all new applicants, involving payment of €24,000 a year - €11,000 of which would cover course fees.
This would replace the existing salary and partial fee reimbursement model on established courses, and was rejected by the trade union.
The dispute was referred to the Labour Relations Commission. The Labour Court ruling of January 31st, 2005, said it did not recommend the abolition of an established agreed grade, and said that "immediate meaningful discussions" should take place between the parties on implementing the recommendations of the joint review group.
Deadline for the agreement between Impact and the HSE authority was March 24th, 2005.
Trainee clinical psychologists must have a primary degree in psychology and a minimum of one year's work relevant to the area.
Many hold a relevant postgraduate qualification in applied psychology before embarking on the training, which involves six rotations in the areas of adult mental health, intellectual disability, child and family services and selected specialist areas.
Much of the time in training is spent on working with patients of the relevant HSE under supervision, and the group of third-year students currently sponsored by HSE North West have worked four-day weeks when on cases.
Travel to and from Galway, where they are studying, and the HSE North West area is at their own expense, they point out.
They are not covered by social insurance under the bursary model applied.
On graduation, they are expected to work for the relevant HSE for another three years.
Several members of the group who spoke to The Irish Times said that the stress incurred by the uncertain financial situation made it very difficult when undertaking casework for the HSE North West.
A spokeswoman for the HSE North West said that it was "in compliance with the national agreement".