Vol. 513 No. 6
126 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of psychologists available to each of the primary and secondary sectors at the end of each of the years 1997 to 1999; and when he will reach the target for a fully operating psychological service. [3153/00]
At the end of 1997, my Department employed psychologists in schools as follows: 13 working in primary schools, 18 working in second level schools, two working in both sectors, and two psychologists in a supervisory capacity. At the end of 1998, my Department employed psychologists in schools as follows: 12 working in primary schools, 18 working in second level schools, two working in both sectors, and two psychologists in a supervisory capacity.
The National Educational Psychological Service Agency was established on 1 September 1999. Most of the psychologists employed by my Department transferred to the new agency on that date. At the end of 1999, they were deployed as follows: 24 working in primary schools, 17 working in second level schools, one working in both sectors and one in a supervisory capacity.
As recommended in the report of the Planning Group for the National Educational Psychological Service Agency, it is envisaged that there will be a fully operating psychological service to all primary and second level schools at the end of a five year development phase, i.e. by the end of the year 2004.
