Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Nov 1995

Vol. 457 No. 7

Written Answers. - Psychological Services in Schools.

James McDaid

Question:

196 Dr. McDaid asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the need for at least one additional education psychologist in County Donegal in view of the fact that the average age of dyslexia detection is seven years in the United Kingdom compared to 11 and 12 years of age in this State. [15992/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach):

During the current year, 1995, ten additional psychologists have been recruited by my Department in order to improve access to psychological services in schools. In assigning these additional psychologists to schools, priority has been given to primary schools serving disadvantaged areas. In any future development, the needs of schools, and of children, in particular areas, including County Donegal, will be borne in mind.

Data available to my Department from sources such as the report of the Special Education Review Committee (1993) do not enable a conclusion to be reached in respect of the average age of identification of specific disabilities. The availability of psychological services to schools is one of the factors which need to be taken into account in working towards identification at as early an age as possible. Others include the provision of in-career development of teachers in areas such as observation and assessment skills, the availability of remedial and other specialist teachers, stronger school-home links and the availability of the school health service, which is a matter for the Department of Health and its agencies. The report of the Special Education Review Committee, to which I have referred, does suggest that there is some variation between regions and areas in terms of access to certain services which would assist in the early identification of learning disabilities. Such variation will be kept in mind as services are improved.