Vol. 483 No. 3
363 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the current state of development of the secondary school pre-entry tests outlined recently by the Minister of State for Education; whether these will used to decide school selection; and the support structures, if any, which are planned to assist pupils who are identified as having problems with numeracy and literacy which would hamper their transition to secondary school. [20150/97]
There is no proposal at present to develop second level school pre-entry tests. Consequently the question of using such tests to decide school selection does not arise. Counselling, remedial and other special education services are available to pupils at primary and second level who are identified as having learning problems. My Department's psychological service and visiting teacher services are also available to such students.
I have commenced a planning process for the future development of psychological services available to schools and it is my intention, resources permitting, to undertake a range of actions for addressing issues relating to difficulties faced in the transition from primary to secondary school.
