Vol. 501 No. 2
333 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will appoint an educational psychologist to serve the needs of mid and north Kildare in view of the fact it is currently without this very important service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5618/99]
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, I announced Government approval for the establishment this year 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 each county in order to set priorities for the expansion of the national educational psychological service. Information about schools in all parts of the country, including County Kildare, will be taken into account in setting the priorities.
