Vol. 476 No. 7
282 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education the number of educational psychologists who were appointed to the national school sector in each of the years from 1990 to date in 1997; and if she will make a statement on the adequacy of current provisions in areas like County Donegal. [8230/97]
My Department's provision of a psychological service to primary schools began in 1990 with a pilot project in two designated areas. The designated areas were west Tallaght-Clondalkin and south Tipperary. Four psychologists were employed on temporary contracts in the pilot areas.
The project completed its pilot phase in September 1993, and was put on a permanent basis in the two areas in early 1994. The four psychologists took up permanent posts in my Department.
A further ten psychologists were appointed by my Department in 1995 in order to allow for the expansion of the psychological service to primary schools. These psychologists were assigned, as a mater of priority, to national schools serving disadvantaged areas in the cities of Dublin, Cork and Limerick. In addition, the national schools in the original pilot project continue to have access to the psychological service.
