Jimmy Deenihan
Question:186 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science when a psychological service will be provided for primary schools in the north Kerry area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4254/01]
Written Answers. - Psychological Service.
My Department initiated a psychological service to primary schools in the greater Tralee area in 1998 but it unfortunately had to be discontinued due to the resignation of the psychologist concerned. It has proved difficult to find a replacement.
However, the national educational psychological service (NEPS), an agency of my Department, has been actively recruiting additional psychologists. As an interim measure, one of the newly appointed psychologists, who is based in Cork, has started to work part-time in Tralee and will deal with urgent cases from primary schools in the area. Posts are still being filled from the most recent competition for NEPS, and one of the new appointees will be assigned to County Kerry.
As part of the Government's programme, a further competition for recruitment to NEPS will be organised by the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commissioners later this year. It is intended that there will be seven NEPS psychologists working in County Kerry by the end of the year 2003.