Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 8

Written Answers. - Psychological Service.

Mary O'Rourke

Question:

102 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education when the school psychological service was first introduced on a pilot basis; the Minister who made the decision in this regard; the terms of this decision; the current position on the school psychological service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24268/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The Department of Education established a schools psychological service in the autumn of 1965 when the late George Colley, was Minister for Education.

A pilot project to develop a psychological service for primary schools in two designated areas commenced in September 1990 when Deputy O'Rourke was Minister for Education. The designated areas were west Tallaght-Clondalkin and south Tipperary. The project set out to gain experience of the development and provision of such a service prior to consideration of an extension to primary schools in other areas. The project completed its pilot phase in September 1993, and was put on a permanent basis by me in the two areas in early 1994.

I appointed a further ten psychologists in 1995 in order to allow for the expansion of the Department of Education's psychological service to primary schools. These psychologists were assigned, as a matter of priority, to national schools serving disadvantaged areas in the cities of Dublin, Cork and Limerick. In addition, national schools in the original pilot project in west Tallaght-Condalkin and south Tipperary continue to have access to the psychological service. In other areas, psychological intervention, if required, is a matter for the regional health boards or with voluntary bodies funded by these boards or by the Department of Health. At present, the lead responsibility for psychological assessment services for children rests with the health authorities.

There are currently 36 psychologists employed in my Department. Of these, 20 are working mainly in second level schools, 13 are in primary schools, and there are three psychologists in a supervisory senior capacity.

The White Paper on Education outlines a policy for the expansion of the schools psychological service at both levels. It is envisaged that the provision and development of psychological services for schools will be a function of the education boards. This development will take place on a phased basis. Any expansion will take place in the context of Government decisions on public sector numbers.