Vol. 513 No. 6
455 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the inadequate psychological service available for schools in County Cavan; if educational psychologists will be appointed at an early date to provide an appropriate level of service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3467/00]
I am aware of the urgent need in many parts of the country, including County Cavan, for children and young people to have access to an educational psychological service. The National Educational Psychological Service – NEPS – agency was established in September 1999 as a dedicated agency of my Department. A competition for recruitment to NEPS is being organised by the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commissioners. This is now at a very advanced stage and it is envisaged that there will be approximately 50 additional psychologists in post by the end of this year. This will make a substantial difference to the level of service available in all areas of the country.
For some time now the management of NEPS has been collecting evidence of need on a county by county basis, using Government and Department statistics and data supplied by local interests. Within each region, priorities will be set according to these identified needs and to the level of current access to psychological services.
