Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Mar 2001

Vol. 533 No. 3

Written Answers. - Psychological Service.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

332 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 421 of 27 February 2001, he will clarify whether his Department will approve (i) the secondment of the teacher in question with pay, (ii) the substitution of this teacher while on secondment, (iii) the payment of course fees and (iv) that the teacher in question, when qualified, be allowed work as an educational psychologist in the girls and boys schools for the deaf. [8884/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

As I informed the Deputy in response to Parliamentary Question No. 421 of 27 February 2001, the provision of an educational psychological service to pupils attending the schools in question is a matter for the national educational psychological service – NEPS. I understand an educational psychologist from NEPS has been assigned responsibility for the schools in question since July 2000.

My Department's approval of the release of a teacher to pursue the course in question is subject to the normal conditions which apply in such cases. These conditions require that the school and teacher involved arrange to meet any costs arising from the release of the teacher and that the Department does not incur additional costs as a result of this arrangement.