Vol. 486 No. 5
95 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education and Science where a young person under 18 years of age can be referred for residential psychological assessment, in view of the fact he is not on drugs, is not a criminal and his parents have found difficulty in having him placed. [2969/98]
My Department provides a psychological service to all second level schools. Psychologists serving second level schools carry out assessments as the resources of time and personnel allow. The normal practice is that parents gain access to this service through the second level school attended by the young person concerned. The assessment is carried out in the school. In special circumstances, for example, if a young person under 18 is not attending school, it may be possible for a psychologist from the Department of Education and Science to carry out a preliminary assessment at home or at another agreed venue. Multi-disciplinary assessments in a residential setting are not provided by my Department. Applications for such assessments should be made to the director of community care of the relevant regional health board.
