asked the Minister for Education if she will examine the possibility of establishing, even on a pilot basis, a psychological service in the primary schools under her jurisdiction, since the service at present in operation in secondary schools often reaches children too late; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Psychological Service for Schools.
24.
There are at present no plans to introduce a psychological service for national schools of the type envisaged by the Deputy.
Pupils attending national schools may be referred for psychological assessment, with the consent of parents, to the assessment services provided under the auspices of the health boards. Such referrals are usually as a follow-up to school medical examinations, and responsibility for their arrangement rests with the directors of community care. Meetings are being held with the Department of Health with a view to examining how best the assessment services for children with special needs can be strengthened within the current financial provision.
At second level the psychological service provided by my Department is in support of the guidance and remedial provision of post-primary schools and is not concerned primarily with early diagnosis of difficulties.