Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Dec 1995

Vol. 459 No. 7

Written Answers. - Educational Psychologist Appointments.

Síle de Valera

Question:

13 Miss de Valera asked the Minister for Education the number of educational psychologists appointed in each province; and the number of primary and second-level schools these pyschologists are expected to service. [18728/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Of the 37 psychologists currently employed in the psychological service of the Department of Education 23 are located in Leinster, ten are located in Munster and four are located in Connaught.

Some psychologists based in a particular province serve some schools in another province. For example psychologists based in Counties Louth and Sligo serve the three Ulster counties.

At present 192 primary schools in Leinster and 171 primary schools in Munster are served by the psychologists. The psychological service for primary schools has not yet been extended to primary schools in Connaught and Ulster.

In the case of second-level schools 372 schools in Leinster, 245 schools in Munster 119 schools in Connaught and 46 schools in Ulster are at present served by the psychologists.