Vol. 512 No. 3
291 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the services of a part-time psychologist at the Holy Spirit school, Gaol Road, Kilkenny, were withdrawn in September 1999; if he will examine the requirement of the school to determine the level of service required and the number of hours a psychologist is required; and if the necessary funding will be provided to achieve this at the earliest possible date. [25845/99]
297 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department will fund a full-time psychologist for the School of the Holy Spirit, Gaol Road, Kilkenny, in view of the urgent need of this service to the school which is the only one of its kind in the south east and had this service withdrawn by the South Eastern Health Board in September 1999. [25838/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 291 and 297 together.
The provision of psychological services in the school referred to by the Deputy was the responsibility of the South Eastern Health Board and my Department has no knowledge of the reasons for withdrawal of that service.
The management of the National Educational Psychological Service Agency – NEPS – is addressing as a matter of urgency the need for a phased transfer to NEPS of the services currently provided to schools by the health boards. This matter will be discussed at the next meeting of the management committee of NEPS, which includes representatives of the Department of Health and Children and of the health boards.
The management of NEPS is compiling a record of priorities for each county for development of the service, as additional psychologists are appointed. The expansion of the service is proceeding rapidly. The Civil Service Commission has completed interviews for an additional 25 psychologists and has also completed the short-listing for a further 25. It is expected that the successful applicants from the first competition will begin to take up their positions early in the new year.
