Vol. 486 No. 1
571 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the arrangements, if any, there are for the psychological assessment of school children in County Meath as provided by the health authorities in the country; the extent of the waiting list in this regard and the degree of waiting time for psychological assessment for school children in County Meath. [1555/98]
Responsibility for the provision of psychological services for school children is a matter in the first instance for the Department of Education and Science. As the psychological services provided by the Department of Education and Science to primary schools are still in the development stage and are at present limited to a small number of schools, health boards currently provide some services for school children on behalf of the Department of Education and Science.
I understand from my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, that the planning process for the establishment of a national educational psychological service to provide services for all primary and secondary schools, as well as to pre-school children has now been initiated. Fifteen qualified psychologists are to be employed on a contract basis for the duration of a three year project. These psychologists will work in regional teams under the management of the psychologists service in the Department of Education and Science and will be taking up their duties during the current school year. The needs of all areas, including County Meath, will be taken into account when these psychologists are being deployed.
The North Eastern Health Board's psychological service in County Meath is a clinical and not an educational service and therefore does not provide routine educational assessments to schools. The service provides assessment, therapeutic and treatment services to children, adolescents and their families who present with a wide range of emotional, behavioural and psychological difficulties. A total of 297 children and adolescents were referred to this service in 1997. In the period January to November 1997, 232 clients were seen by psychologists and 118 children await appointments. Because of the high demand for the services a system of prioritisation is being used based on the information provided at the time of referral. The length of time children and adolescents have to wait for a service depends on the nature of the problem which led to the referral. Priority treatment is given to the children who come within the following categories: children at risk of child abuse; children in the care of the health board; children who have been abused; children who are in danger of self harm; and children with developmental delay.
