Vol. 412 No. 7
75 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Education the number of referrals of pupils from primary schools in County Monaghan to her Department's psychological service for each of the following school years; (a) 1987-88, (b) 1988-89, (c) 1989-90 and (d) 1990-91; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
77 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Education the number of psychologists employed by her Department in each of the following years (a) 1987-88, (b) 1988-89, (c) 1989-90 and (d) 1990-91; the number of referrals by county to her Department's psychologists for each of the above years; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 77 together.
There were 25 educational psychologists employed by the Department for each of these school years 1987-88, 1988-89, 1989-90. During 1990-91 the number employed was 28. Of the numbers quoted, three were at a senior level.
In general the Department's psychologists work in the area of second level education. There is, however, a development project on psychological services for primary schools in two specific areas: Clondalkin/west Tallaght and south Tipperary. Apart from this project the psychologists may carry out some work in a limited number of primary schools as resources permit.
The psychologists work mainly in schools and referrals are usually made orally to them in the course of their work. My Department do not keep formal records of the number of such referrals.
