Vol. 439 No. 7
102 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education if psychological assessment of primary school children with learning difficulties is adequately provided for; and if she will ensure that schools (details supplied) in Dublin 12 do not have to wait for up to 18 months for assessment of young children, since early assessment and identification of potential problems can ensure the adequate and full development of the pupils concerned.
At present certain psychological services for primary schools are provided through the appropriate Health Boards and I understand that my colleague, the Minister for Health, has made considerable progress in improving these services for children and adolescents.
The Programme for a Partnership Government includes plans for the expansion of the psychological service to cover the whole primary school sector to ensure that every child with learning of behavioural difficulties has access to help at the earliest stage.
As a first phase in the implementation of the commitment, funding has been provided this year for ten psychologists. The areas to which the service will be extended have not been finalised yet.
The development of a psychological service for the primary sector will take into account the experience of a three year pilot project which has operated in West Tallaght/Clondalkin and South Tipperary, together with any recommendations in the report which I am expecting shortly from the independent evaluator of the pilot project.
