Vol. 450 No. 4
52 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Education if her Department has taken over the responsibility for the psycho-educational assessment of children from the health authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4557/95]
The responsibility for the psychological assessment of children in national schools, including such assessments for educational purposes, is a matter for the regional health boards through the appropriate director of community care.
My Department is currently developing a school psychological service for primary schools on a phased basis. To this end, ten additional psychologists are being recruited at present, eight of whom have taken up their appointments recently. It is expected that two more will take up appointments in the near future. A further ten psychologists will be recruited later this year.
However, it will be some time before this new service will be in a position to take on the responsibility for psychological assessment for educational purposes from the health authorities.
