Vol. 487 No. 4
180 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will arrange for the appointment of at least one of the 15 psychologists who are being allocated to the national schools' psychological service to the Waterford constituency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4404/98]
A development project for the extension of psychological services to primary schools is being organised by Mary Immaculate College of Education, Limerick, in co-operation with my Department. The 15 psychologists recently recruited, all primary teachers, will be employed on three year contracts and will work in regional teams managed by the Department's psychological service. They are expected to take up their posts during March of this year.
Two of the new psychologists will be assigned to the existing primary service to replace staff who have resigned. In assigning the remaining 13 psychologists, it is my intention to provide increased access to the psychological service for each region and for as many counties as possible. Details of the areas assigned to the new psychologists will be announced in due course.
The evaluation of the development project will be of assistance in the detailed implementation of the report of the National Education Psychological Service Planning Group which is due before the end of April.
