Brendan Smith
Question:297 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education and Science his proposals to extend the educational psychological service in County Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10436/01]
Written Answers. - Psychological Service.
Until the end of the year 2000, an educational psychologist employed by my Department in the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, provided a psychological service to all post-primary schools in County Cavan. This psychologist also had responsibilities in County Dublin. The area based partnership in Cavan also employed a psychologist to serve approximately 2,000 pupils in the county.
Following the decision of the Government that NEPS should develop a psychological service that would eventually be available to all schools, NEPS embarked on a programme of recruitment. Some 31 additional psychologists have been appointed since last September. This has allowed NEPS to enhance considerably the psychological service in the north eastern region.
Two NEPS psychologists have now been assigned to join the Cavan team and are based in Cavan town. They are continuing the service to post-primary schools and have taken responsibility for the schools previously served by the Cavan partnership. NEPS is now offering a psychological service to approximately 21 primary schools in Cavan town, Bailieborough and Cootehill.
It is envisaged that when all primary schools in the county have access to the NEPS service, there will be five psychologists serving counties Cavan and Monaghan.