The school in question has recently made application to my Department for the appointment of a resource teacher. The case put forward by the school is currently being examined by my Department's inspectorate in order to determine the level of support required to cater for pupils with special needs attending the school. A decision will be made on the school's application as soon as the inspector's report is received.
The level of psychological service provided by my Department to Scoil Aonghusa has unfortunately been reduced during the current school year due to an unforeseen career break. It has not been possible to provide a substitute psychologist immediately. However, I share the Deputy's concern that a full psychological service should be restored to the school as soon as possible.
The new national educational psychological service agency will shortly be formally established. My Department is in the process of recruiting 25 additional psychologists who will take up their appointments during the school year 1999-2000. One of the priorities for the deployment of these additional psychologists will be the restoration of the psychological service in any area where it has been temporarily cut back.
