Emmet Stagg
Question:246 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction the appointment of a psychologist to cover the remainder of the primary schools in north County Kildare. [19249/99]
Written Answers. - Psychological Service.
The National Educational Psychological Service Agency was formally established by me on 1 September 1999. The process of recruiting additional psychologists for the agency has begun. Interviews for the new posts are being held at present.
The development of the new service must occur on a phased basis. It is envisaged that all schools will have access to the service provided by the agency at the end of a five year period. It is hoped that there will be the nucleus of an educational psychological service in every county, including County Kildare, by the end of 1999. The service will be organised on a regional basis in close consultation with the clinical psychological services of the health boards which will continue to provide a service to parents and children.
One of the issues which will be considered by the National Educational Psychological Service Agency is how interim support may be provided to students and schools that do not yet have access to its service.