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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 20 Oct 1998

Vol. 495 No. 4

Written Answers. - Psychological Service.

Ulick Burke

Question:

422 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to provide and establish a national psychological service and to increase the number of educational psychologists to respond to the increasing numbers of students who may be in need of referral to an educational psychologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20396/98]

I have received the report of the planning group which I appointed to prepare proposals and make recommendations on the introduction of a national educational psychological service. As recommended by the planning group I have established an implementarion group of officials within my Department to make preparatory arrangements, for the introduction of the service including an estimate of costs over a development period of five years beginning in 1999.

Earlier this year 15 additional psychologists were recruited for my Department's psychological service as part of a special three year development project which will be evaluated. I have announced recently that a further ten psychologists will be recruited in this context by the end of the year. When the arrangements for the national educational psychological service are finalised and approved, it is envisaged that existing educational psychological services will become part of the new service when it is established.

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