Vol. 480 No. 6
614 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education the services from child psychologists and social workers available to a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11; if extra services can be provided in view of the high drop-out rate, poor attendance figures and the level of anti-social behaviour from youths in the area. [14989/97]
The psychological service provided by my Department is currently available to a limited number of national schools, with priority given to schools serving disadvantaged areas. My Department shares the concern expressed in the question in relation to young people who are poorly motivated and who drop out of school. There has been a psychologist available from my Department to the schools referred to since April 1995. Pupils, parents and teachers have access to this service through the school principals. The psychologist assigned to the schools visits them on a regular basis.
Members of my Department's psychological service who are deployed in primary schools carry out assessments as the resources of time and personnel allow. In addition, they engage in a certain amount of casework with those pupils and parents who would benefit from counselling in the school situation. The psychologists also provide advice to teachers in relation to pupils who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.
Where difficulties are perceived to be more serious, the psychologists refer pupils to appropriate specialist agencies, including the social work services of the health authorities. Parents also have access to these agencies through the school medical service or the family doctor. Availability of these services is a matter for the appropriate health board.
