Vol. 500 No. 4
384 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the national schools in north County Kildare remain without the services of an educational psychologist in view of the fact that a psychologist has been appointed to schools in the south of the county; when he will make a similar appointment for the north of the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4311/99]
As the Deputy states, 19 schools in the south of County Kildare now have access to my Department's psychological service, as do six schools in Leixlip. However, I am aware that many primary schools in the country, including many in County Kildare, do not yet have access to my Department's psychological service. One of my key priorities as Minister is the establishment of a National Educational Psychological Service, to be available to all schools at both levels. On Thursday 11 February, in the presence of the Taoiseach, I announced Government approval for the establishment of a national educational psychological service. Financial provision has now been made for the first two years of a five-year implementation phase. At the end of the five year period, it is envisaged that every school in the country will have access to a schools psychological service.
My Department will shortly be recruiting 25 additional psychologists, who should take up their appointments during the school year 1999-2000. It is intended that the psychological service will be an integrated service for the primary and second level sectors and, from now on, newly recruited psychologists will be expected to work in both sectors. My Department is currently carrying out a detailed analysis of the needs and resources available in all parts of the country, in order to set priorities for the expansion of the national educational psychological service.
