Two senators have criticised the HSE’s decision to use JobBridge to hire a clinical psychologist to work within its mental health services in Waterford.

The Irish Examiner reported yesterday that the HSE advertised for an intern with both a degree and a masters in psychology who will work for 30 hours a week for a €50 top-up on their dole payment under the JobBridge scheme.

Independent senator Jillian van Turnhout and Sinn Féin’s David Cullinane both questioned the appropriateness of the HSE’s use of the scheme.

Waterford-based Mr Cullinane said the issue was particularly of concern given the mental health service provision in the area.

“As recently as May 2015, the Psychiatric Nurses Association expressed concerns about Waterford Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services which has stopped taking new referrals due to the inability of the HSE to appoint a permanent consultant psychiatrist,” he said.

“This is coming at a time when thousands of vulnerable people in this country are on waiting lists for months or even years for HSE psychology services.

“Áine O Connor, director of Mental Health Service for the HSE, has highlighted the recruitment of psychologists as a key issue for delays in provision of services.

“The HSE has admitted that it has the money and the authority to recruit psychologists but cannot find recruits.”

He further criticised Social Protection Minister Joan Burton for continuing the JobBridge scheme and said that the Government has shown an “utterly scandalous disregard for those vulnerable children, adolescents, and adults afflicted by mental health issues in our society”.

“As I speak, there are over 80 psychologists including graduates, on a HSE psychology recruitment panel unable to access HSE psychology jobs due to restrictive recruitment practices that have been in place in Ireland since 2009,” said Mr Cullinane.

“I urge the minister look at this discriminatory and restrictive recruitment practice and rectify it immediately.”

How can @HSElive defend this? JobBridge advert for psychologist defended http://t.co/9kpSH6yAJE #mentalhealth @JoeLeogue @oconnellbrian

— Jillian van Turnhout (@JillianvT) August 20, 2015

Ms van Turnhout said she was “gobsmacked” at the advert and questioned how the HSE could use the scheme if it transpires that there will be no paid position for the potential intern at the end of the nine-month JobBridge term.

“It is a flagrant abuse of the JobBridge scheme and another example of how the level of vetting needs to be much higher,” she said.

The HSE said the internship “provides the opportunity to gain relevant experience”.

“At the end of the internship, the person will be eligible to apply for a paid position of trainee clinical psychologist — a position that requires a strong academic record as well as relevant supervised experience,” a spokesperson said.

The Government announced an external review of the JobBridge scheme, the results of which are expected in early 2016.