Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 2 Jul 1998

Vol. 493 No. 5

Written Answers. - Psychological Service.

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

271 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the totally inadequate psychological service available for schools in County Cavan; if educational psychologists will be appointed at an early date to provide an appropriate level of service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16821/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The current position is that all post-primary schools in County Cavan are assigned to one of the psychologists employed by my Department. The psychologist engages in case work as the resources of time and personnel permit. There is at present no psychologist from my Department working in primary schools in the area.

I am aware of the need for schools to have ready access to a psychological service. I intend therefore to establish a national educational psychological service which will be available to all primary and secondary schools as well as to pre-school children. Plans for this service are included in the programme for Government.

The report of the planning group for this service is now nearing completion and it is expected that it will report to me in the very near future. It is examining the current availability of psychological services to children and young people, and will make recommendations as to the developments which will be necessary to ensure effective provision in all schools, including those in County Cavan.