Vol. 512 No. 1
244 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the degree to which school psychological services at primary and second levels have been advanced in north Kildare in the past 12 months; the degree to which the requirements of the various schools have been positively responded to by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25649/99]
All second level schools in north Kildare have access to the National Educational Psychological Service Agency. The management of the agency, which was formally established on 1 September 1999, is currently drawing up a development plan for the phased expansion of its service. The needs of all counties, including County Kildare, are being considered in the formulation of this plan. The Civil Service Commission has completed the interviews for an additional 25 psychologists and has completed the short-listing process for a further 25 psychologists. The successful applicants from the first competition will begin to take up their positions early in the new year. The interviews for the second group of 25 will also commence shortly.
