Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 3

Written Answers. - Psychological Service.

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 356 and 357 together.

The details requested in the two questions relate to assessments and diagnoses made by members of my Department's psychological service. In addition, pupils in the named areas may also be assessed and diagnosed by remedial teachers, guidance counsellors, vocational education committee psychologists and health board psychologists.

Work with individual pupils is only one part of the work in schools of my Department's psychological service. A major objective is to develop a preventive approach towards the management of developmental difficulties in children. In addressing those difficulties which are experienced by some pupils, indirect or group approaches can represent the most effective use of resources. Some school principals opt for such approaches in preference to individual assessment work with pupils.

In addition, the psychologists engage in advisory work which is of benefit to all pupils, for example, advice on the management of behavioural difficulties, gathering of data in relation to the granting of concessionary teaching posts, advice on provision for guidance and remedial education in post-primary schools, help with the introduction of special programmes of personal, social and health education, help with the implementation of the recommendations in psychological reports.

In the post-primary sector, pupils who are referred directly to the area psychologists can normally be seen within two to three weeks. The primary psychologists do not keep waiting lists. Each school is contacted regularly and a time allocation for the current school term is negotiated. Psychologists try to ensure that each school receives some service each term but, depending on current needs, some schools will have more time allocated than others in any particular year. In consultation with the psychologist, each school principal prioritises those pupils who are to be seen individually. Referrals deemed to be urgent will be dealt with in a matter of weeks.

Post-primary schools — number of pupils seen individually in schools

Note 1. All secondary schools in Dublin 6W, 8 and 12 are assigned to psychologists from the Department of Education. Vocational schools have their own psychological services.

Note 2. GLD stands for General Learning Difficulty; SLD stands for Specific Learning Difficulty.

Dublin 6W
Templeogue College	1996-97, 0; 1997-98, 0
Terenure College, Templeogue Road	1996-97, 0; 1997-98, 0
Presentation Convent Secondary School, Terenure	1996-97, 0; 1997-98, 0
Our Lady's School, Templeogue Road, Terenure	1996-97, 2 (SLD 2); 1997-98, 0
Dublin 8
Christian Brothers, Synge Street	1996-97, 1 (GLD 1); 1997-98, 3 (GLD 1, SLD 2)
Christian Brothers Secondary School, James's Street	1996-97, 1 (GLD 1); 1997-98, 1 (GLD 1)
St. Patrick's Cathedral Grammar School, St. Patrick's Close	1996-97, 0; 1997-98, 0
Presentation Convent Secondary School, Warrenmount	1996-97, 0; 1997-98, 0
Mercy Secondary School, Goldenbridge	1996-97, 4 (GLD 4); 1997-98, 0
Dublin 12
Meán Scoil Iognáid Rís, Drimnagh Castle, Walkinstown	1996-97, 0; 1997-98, 0
Loreto College, Crumlin Road	1996-97, 0; 1997-98, 0
Rosary College, Armagh Road	1996-97, 0; 1997-98, 0
Assumption Secondary School, Walkinstown	1996-97, 0; 1997-98, 0
St. Paul's Secondary School, Greenhills	1996-97, 5 (GLD 1, SLD 4); 1997-98, 0
Crumlin Secondary School, Crumlin Road	1996-97, 0; 1997-98, 0
Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School, Mourne Road, Drimnagh	1996-97, 0; 1997-98, 0
Christian Brothers, Armagh Road, Crumlin	1996-97, 0; 1997-98, 0

Primary schools — Number of pupils seen individually in schools

Note 1. Only those primary schools designated as disadvantaged are allocated to psychologists of the Department of Education.

Note 2. GLD stands for General Learning Difficulty; SLD stands for Specific Learning Difficulty.

Dublin 6W
St. Clare's Convent NS, Harold's Cross	1996-97, 0; 1997-98, 0
Harold's Cross NS, Clareville Road	1996-97, 1; 1997-98, 0
Dublin 8
Presentation Convent NS, Warrenmount	1996-97, 3 (GLD 2); 1997-98, 0
St. Brigid's Convent NS, The Coombe	1996-97, 3 (GLD 2); 1997-98, 0
Scoil na mBrathair, Francis Street	1996-97, 3 (GLD 3); 1997-98, 0
St. Catherine's Senior NS, School Street	1996-97, 1; 1997-98, 0
Scoil Treasa Naofa, Donore Avenue	1996-97, 2 (GLD 1); 1997-98, 0
St Catherine's N.S., Donore Ave. 1996-97, 2 (GLD 1, SLD 1); 1997-98, 0
Mater Dei NS, Basin Lane	1996-97, 16 (GLD 9, SLD 1); 1997-98, 0
St. Kevin's GNS, Grantham Street	1996-97, 0; 1997-98, 0
Scoil Audeon Naofa (B), Cook Street	1996-97, 2 (GLD 1, SLD 1); 1997-98, 0
Sancta Maria CBNS, Synge Street	1996-97, 1 (SLD 1); 1997-98, 12 (GLD 5, SLD 2)
St. James's Street CBNS	1996-97, 3 (GLD 2); 1997-98, 4 (GLD 4)
St. Patrick's NS, St. Patrick's Close	1996-97, 1 (SLD 1); 1997-98, 0
Goldenbridge Convent NS, Inchicore	1996-97, 18 (GLD 11, SLD 1); 1997-98, 2 (GLD 1)
St. Michael's CBNS, Inchicore	1996-97, 17; 1997-98, 0
SN Mhurie gan Smal, Inchicore	1996-97, 1; 1997-98, 0
Our Lady of the Wayside, Bluebell	1996-97, 1 (SLD 1); 1997-98, 0
Gaelscoil Inse Chor, An Cuarbothar Theas	1996-97, 0; 1997-98, 0
Dublin 12
Scoil Mhuire 1 (Loreto), Crumlin Road	1996-97, 3 (GLD 2); 1997-98, 0
Scoil Mhuire 2, (Loreto), Crumlin Road	1996-97, 2 (GLD 2); 1997-98, 1 (GLD 1)
Scoil Iosagain, Aughavannagh Road	1996-97, 0; 1997-98, 0
Marist NS, Clogher Road	1996-97, 0; 1997-98, 0
St. Agnes' NS, Armagh Road	1996-97, 3 (GLD 3); 1997-98, 1 (GLD 1)
SN Choilm na mBraithre, Armagh Road	1996-97, 3 (GLD 3); 1997-98, 1 (GLD 1)
Our Lady of Good Counsel GNS, Mourne Road, Driminagh	1996-97, 2 (GLD 2); 1997-98, 1 (GLD 1)
Our Lady of Good Counsel JNS, Mourne Road, Drimnagh	1996-97, 3 (GLD 3); 1997-98, 0
Our Lady of Good Counsel BNS, Mourne Road, Drimnagh	1996-97, 2 (GLD 1); 1997-98, 0
St. Paul's Junior NS, Greenhills	1996-97, 14 (GLD 11)
St. Paul's Senior NS, Greenhills	1996-97, 12 (GLD 12)