During the current school year, I have received six written requests for the psychological service to be extended to north Kildare and have answered two parliamentary questions on the subject. I understand that approximately the same number of requests have been made directly to the psychological service, by letter or telephone.
I am well aware of the need for students, parents and teachers to have ready access to the support of educational psychologists. The expansion of provision is one of my priorities as Minister. On Thursday, 11 February, with the Taoiseach, I announced Government approval for the establishment of a National Educational Psychological Service. Financial provision has now been made for the first two years of a five year implementation phase. At the end of the five year period, it is envisaged that every school in the country will have access to a schools psychological service.
My Department will shortly be recruiting 25 additional psychologists, who should take up their appointments during the school year 1999-2000. A detailed analysis is currently being made of the needs and resources available in all parts of the country in order to set priorities for the expansion of the National Educational Psychological Service. This analysis is taking account of such factors as student numbers, level of educational disadvantage and the availability of other resources. Data included with the writen requests which have been received will be added to the other data being examined.
