Two psychologists employed by my Department are assigned to County Kerry. One is assigned to all the post-primary schools in the county and the other is assigned to a number of primary schools in the Tralee area. One of my key priorities as Minister is to expand current provision by establishing 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. It is envisaged that 200 educational psychologists should be in place by the end of the five years. Subject to the approval of Government, implementation of the report will begin in early 1999. The recruitment process will begin shortly. I am aware that there are inevitably many primary schools in County Kerry, which do not yet have access to my Department's psychological service. Attention will be paid to the needs of all areas as the psychological service is expanded.