Vol. 443 No. 4
190 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Education, in view of the importance of early identification for coping with children with special learning difficulties, her views on whether it is the right of all children to access to psychological testing at the age of seven; and if she has satisfied herself that the nature of the current tests are able to identify special learning difficulties.
It is my view that all children who are considered as having a need for psychological assessment, should have access to such a service as early as possible in their school careers, with the permission of the parents or guardians. This may well mean having such assessments carried out at an age earlier than seven years. However not all children require individual psychological assessment. Assessment and identification of a pupil's strengths and weaknesses has always been an integral part of teaching, with a view to adapting and providing teaching approaches related to the needs of pupils. For the generality of children this type of teacher assessment is what is required. It is my aim to help schools and teachers to refine and develop their assessment procedures.
I have announced my intention, in line with the Government commitment on the matter, to extend a schools psychological service to all primary schools on a gradual basis. I intend to recruit a further ten (10) psychologists for the schools' service this year. Advertisements for these posts have appeared recently. This will ensure that children who need psychological assessment will be able to receive it if their parents or guardians so wish, as the service becomes available to primary schools generally. In addition, this service will assist schools in developing and refining their own internal assessment procedures.
With regard to tests used as part of psychological assessment, the choice of test instruments and procedures is a matter for the professional judgment of a psychologist. The tests in use are regarded as the best that are available currently.
