Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Jun 2003

Vol. 568 No. 1

Written Answers. - Psychological Service.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

406 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which he proposes to meet the need for psychological services at primary and second level schools throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16033/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The planning group that prepared proposals for the national educational psychological service, NEPS, recommended that 200 psychologists would be needed in the educational system to provide psychological support for all primary and second level schools. It also recommended that this target should be achieved over a period of five years, beginning during the school year 1999-00. The Government made a decision in early 1999 that these recommendations should be implemented.

Since the establishment of the NEPS agency in September 1999, the number of psy chologists assigned to the agency has almost tripled, rising from 43 in 1999, to over 120 psychologists at present. Another group of up to 15 psychologists is due to join NEPS in September 2003. The recruitment of additional psychologists will be undertaken, as resources permit. Schools that do not yet have direct access to a full educational psychological service can avail of the scheme for commissioning private assessments which NEPS administers, pending the full expansion of the NEPS service to all schools.