Vol. 544 No. 2
172 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the optimum requirements in terms of the number of psychologists employed in the various schools in north Kildare; the way in which and when he proposes to increase numbers in accordance with ongoing and projected requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28432/01]
My Department established the national educational psychological service in September 1999. The number of psychologists to be assigned by NEPS to each area is based on recommendations contained in the report of the planning group for NEPS, 1998. On this basis, it is estimated that eight psychologists will ultimately be required to provide a service to all schools in Kildare.
NEPS is organised in ten regions, roughly equivalent to the health board regions. County Kildare forms part of the eastern region, south-western area, which also includes part of Dublin city, west County Dublin and west County Wicklow. At present, nine psychologists provide a service to schools in the region. Of this number, the equivalent of approximately 2.4 psychologist posts are allocated to schools in County Kildare. The current staffing level allows NEPS to provide a service to all post-primary schools and to 29 primary schools, approximately 10,000 pupils. The management team in NEPS is aware that north Kildare is part of an area partnership scheme and that a number of the schools serve disadvantaged populations. North Kildare is, therefore, being given a high priority in the NEPS rollout plan.
Twelve of the primary schools that currently have access to the NEPS service are located in the Naas, Leixlip, Celbridge area in north Kildare. As an additional service, a pilot project is being initiated in 26 schools in north-west Kildare, approximately 4,000 pupils, during the current school year. The purpose of the project is to introduce the NEPS service to the schools, conduct an assessment of needs with them and undertake some in-career development for teachers. It is proposed to offer the full NEPS service to these schools in the next school year.
I have been concerned for some time about the needs of children in schools that do not yet have access to the psychological service provided by NEPS. I have therefore recently made funding available to NEPS to allow such schools to commission psychological assessments from private practitioners. NEPS has drawn up and issued to all schools, including those in north Kildare, guidelines on how to avail of this scheme.
173 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the schools in north Kildare in respect of which he has received requests for the appointment of further school psychologists; his proposals in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28433/01]
The management of the national educational psychological service, NEPS, informs me that the 26 primary schools which are included in the OAK partnership area in north-west Kildare have made a joint application for NEPS to extend its service to them. Although NEPS is not yet in a position to offer a full psychological service to these schools, it is initiating a pilot project in the area, approximately 4,000 pupils, during the current school year. The primary schools in the Allen area have also approached NEPS. I am not aware of other requests on behalf of schools in north Kildare, although requests are sent in to NEPS on a continuing basis by individual parents and teachers. All such requests are carefully examined and information contained in such letters is taken into account when planning the expansion of NEPS.
