Vol. 498 No. 6
175 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science if an educational psychologist will be appointed to service the needs of the schools in west Wicklow in view of the need for this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28249/98]
My Department provides an educational psychological service to all second level schools in County Wicklow and to a number of primary schools in the north of the county. One of my key priorities as Minister is the establishment of a national educational psychological service, to be available to all schools at both levels. On 15 September last, I launched and endorsed the report of the planning group, which has prepared recommendations for me on how a national educational psychological service may best be introduced. Financial provision has now been made for the first two years of a five-year implementation phase. Subject to the approval of Government, implementation of the report will begin in early 1999.
I am aware that there are inevitably many primary schools in the country, including most of the schools in County Wicklow, which do not yet have access to my Department's psychological service. Attention will be paid to the needs of such priority areas as the psychological service is expanded.
