Vol. 534 No. 3
321 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals he has to provide an educational psychological service to all primary school pupils in the Waterford constituency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10722/01]
Up to the end of the year 2000 two educational psychologists, employed by my Department in the national educational psychological service, provided a psychological service to all post-primary schools in the city and county of Waterford. Neither of these psychologists was based in Waterford and both had responsibilities in other counties.
Following the decision of the Government that NEPS should develop a psychological service that would eventually be available to all schools, NEPS embarked on a programme of recruitment. Since last September 31 additional psychologists have been appointed. This has allowed NEPS to enhance considerably the psychological service in the south eastern region.
Two NEPS psychologists have now been assigned to work exclusively in County Waterford. They have already begun work in post-primary schools and are now initiating a service to primary schools. It is envisaged that they will be able to provide a psychological service initially to all post-primary students in the city and county and to 41 primary schools in Waterford city, Kilmacthomas, Stradbally, Ballyduff and Tramore. Office accommodation is currently being refurbished and is almost ready so that there will soon be a NEPS office in the city.
It is envisaged that when all primary schools in the county have access to the NEPS service there will be five psychologists serving County Waterford.
