Vol. 519 No. 6
211 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science if an educational psychologist will be made available to the growing population in north Kildare, having regard to a case (details supplied) if so, when; if his attention has been drawn to the growing needs of the area in this regard; if he intends to positively respond to this request in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14645/00]
I am aware that there is a need to increase the number of psychologists in north Kildare to meet the need for educational psychological services and the Deputy will be glad to know that I am currently providing additional posts to expand these service, both in County Kildare and nationally.
As part of this expansion, the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commission is currently completing the process of recruiting additional suitably qualified psychologists. As a result, my Department expects to in a position to appoint up to 50 additional psychologists during the current year. This will double the present number of psychologists in the national educational psychological service – NEPS. Under the Government's plans, it is envisaged that all schools will have a fully operational psychological service by the end of 2004.
Pending the expansion of NEPS, a working group of representatives from NEPS and the Department of Health and Children has been established to put procedures in place to deal with urgent referrals for psychological assessment. In the case referred to by the Deputy, an application should be made to the health board for the psychological service required.
