§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to ensure that education and library boards in the Province appoint only fully qualified applicants, as defined by the Soulbury committee and including a minimum of two years' teaching experience, to posts as educational psychologists.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe Department of Education recently carried out a review of the qualifications required for appointment as an educational psychologist. Following wide consultation it was decided that the existing requirements (including the need to have two years' teaching experience) should stand for new entrants to the profession, but that applications could also be considered from qualified candidates for outside Northern Ireland without teaching experience provided they have a minimum of five years' experience as educational psychologists.