The Work

Core Forensic Practice areas

Expert Resource for Specialist Assessment Criminal courts, solicitors, parole boards, police, health and social care agencies, risk assessment, motivation to address offending behaviour, therapeutic interventions, sentencing recommendations, capacity and fitness to stand trial.

Treatment & Rehabilitation Offence focused/ Mental Health/ Personality Disorder/ Trauma Practitioner

• Direct involvement with client

• Advises on disposal and treatment

• Management of difficult clients

• Rehabilitation/therapeutic process & evaluation of outcome

Forensic Psychologist work in a variety of settings. 

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

In order to become a Forensic Psychologist, an accredited honours undergraduate degree where psychology is the major subject is required. Completion of a recognised accredited postgraduate training programme in Forensic psychology is then necessary. Recognition with the The Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI), is the learned and professional body for psychology and psychologists in the Republic of Ireland. 

UCAS route options

Last Updated: April, 2024

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €27k - €84k

Salaries vary by employer, location, duties, role, grade, and experience. 

Data Source(s):
HSE/ Indeed/ Jobted/ Payscale/ Salary Expert/ Jooble/ Glassdoor/ Eireri

Last Updated: April, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment growth was above the national average for this occupation, although employment in 2022 were similar to 2021 levels. The CSO Census data shows that employment was spread across a large number of roles in 2022, with increases across all within this occupation since 2016.

While the numbers employed have increased since 2016, for the most part, the supply from the education and training system has not, and plans to expand training will not have an impact on the potential supply to the labour market in the short-term, given the duration of training required. This has led to issues for a number of roles within this group; for instance, there is an increasing number of students opting to study veterinary medicine in Poland due to the lack of available places to study in Ireland.

Psychologists and pharmacists were added to the employment permits Critical Skills list in June 2022 although new permits issued in 2022 primarily related to radiographers/sonographers, with a small number issued for dentists and pharmacists. With a quarter of those employed aged 55 years or older, replacement demand alone will create job opportunities in the coming years. Demand remains high across these occupations and issues with recruitment are occurring; however, as the numbers employed are too small across the roles for detailed analysis, evidence of shortages are difficult to determine.

• Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI)

  • Digital Office Centre Camden, 12 Camden Row, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin 8, D08 R9CN, Ireland
  • (0)87 387 7179
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Law Society of Ireland

  • Blackhall Place, Dublin 7
  • (01) 672 4800 ( Law School Tel No.: (01) 672 4802)
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here