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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Mar 1999

Vol. 501 No. 6

Written Answers. - Psychological Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

414 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the way in which he will address the need for the provision of an educational psychologist in north Kildare in view of other commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6802/99]

I am well aware of the need for students, parents and teachers in all areas of the country to have ready access to the support of educational psychologists. The expansion of provision is one of my priorities as Minister. On Thursday, 11 February, I announced Government approval for the establishment this year of a national educational psychological service. Financial provision has now been made for the first two years of a five-year implementation phase.

My Department will shortly be recruiting 25 additional psychologists, who should take up their appointments during the school year 1999-2000. It will not be possible to make the service immediately available to all schools. A detailed analysis is currently being made in my Department of the needs and resources available in each county in order to set priorities for the expansion of the national educational psychological service. Information about schools in all parts of the country, including those in north County Kildare, will be taken into account in setting the priorities. It is envisaged that, at the end of the five-year period, every school in the country will have access to an educational psychological service.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

415 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if the services of an educational psychologist are available at St. Mary's boys' national school, Maynooth, County Kildare; if so, the degree of this availability; the degree to which a psychological service is available to north Kildare; the plans if any, he has to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6803/99]

My Department, has not, as yet, assigned an educational psychologist to St. Mary's boys' national school in Maynooth. The psychological service available to this school would currently be provided by the Eastern Health Board. At present, the six national schools in Leixlip are assigned to a psychologist employed by my Department.

I am addressing this issue by establishing a national educational psychological service. Financial provision has now been made for the first two years of a five-year implementation phase, and expansion of the service will begin during 1999.

My Department will shortly be recruiting 25 additional psychologists, who should take up their appointments during the school year 1999-2000. It will not be possible to make the service immediately available to all schools. A detailed analysis is currently being made in my Department of the needs and resources available in each county, in order to set priorities for the expansion of the national educational psychological service. Information about schools in all parts of the country, including the school mentioned by the Deputy, will be taken into account in setting the priorities. It is envisaged that, at the end of the five-year period, every school in the country will have access to an educational psychological service.

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