Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2004
304 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the efforts that are currently taking place to ensure locations in Donegal such as the large peninsula of Inishowen is provided with an educational psychologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5936/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present, there are six psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, deployed in the north western region, of whom 2.5 psychologists — whole time equivalent — are assigned to County Donegal. The NEPS development plan envisages that there should ultimately be seven educational psychologists in the county. At present, NEPS provides a service to approximately 55% of all school pupils in County Donegal but unfortunately is not yet in a position to provide a service in Inishowen.
The Civil Service and Local Appointments Commission has created a panel of educational psychologists qualified to serve in NEPS. My Department is currently making offers of employment to five psychologists from this panel. The north-western region has been identified as one of the priority regions for assignment of these psychologists. Due to general staffing constraints, it is unlikely that there will be any further recruitment to NEPS during the current school year.
At present, schools that do not yet have a service from NEPS may avail of the scheme for commissioning psychological assessments. Details of this scheme have been circulated to all schools and are also published on my Department's website.
