Vol. 475 No. 7
55 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to ensure that the health boards fulfil their obligation by providing an educational psychologist to assess children attending national schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5628/97]
Limerick East): The provision of educational school psychology services for the assessment of children attending national schools falls under the aegis of the Department of Education. The report of the Special Education Review Committee (1993) recommended, inter alia, that an expanded school psychological service, staffed by psychologists with appropriate qualifications under the aegis of the Department of Education and-or the proposed intermediate educational administrative structures, should be established on a countrywide basis without delay. In line with this recommendation, I understand that an extension of the service already being provided by the Department of Education is to take place on a phased basis as resources become available for that purpose.
