There is a school-based psychological service provided by my Department for all second level schools and for approximately 400 primary schools. My Department currently employs a total of 36 inspectors of guidance-psychologists. 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.
A psychological service for individual pupils and support for guidance services have been provided to second level schools for a number of years. Every second level school has a psychologist assigned to it. Psychological support is provided as time and resources allow.
The policy outlined in the White Paper on Education envisages the expansion of the schools psychological service to all schools as a function of the proposed education boards. This development will take place on a phased basis. As resources become available the particular needs of children and of schools in various areas will be borne in mind.
In practice, the expansion of the psychological service has begun already. In 1990 four psychologists were employed on temporary contracts to work on a pilot project in primary schools. These psychologists were established permanently in early 1994. A further ten psychologists were appointed in 1995 to initiate a Department of Education psychological service for primary schools. These are assigned, as a matter of priority, to schools serving disadvantaged areas. These are in Dublin, Cork city and in Limerick city. In addition, the original pilot service in South Tipperary and in West Tallaght/Clondalkin is being continued. Psychological support is provided to these primary schools as resources allow. Further expansion was not possible during 1996 because of the need to limit recruitment to the public service.
At present, it is the responsibility of the appropriate Health Board Director of Community Care to arrange for psychological assessments for children in national schools where such are deemed necessary. It has been drawn to my attention that in recent years some of the health boards and voluntary bodies have ceased to provide assessments for what they consider to be purely educational purposes. This has increased demand for a schools psychological service.
As stated earlier, it is the intention that a school psychological service should eventually be universally available, but future developments must take place in the context of government decisions on public sector numbers.
