Michael Ring
Question:191 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science if an educational psychological assessment will be arranged for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of his lack of educational progress. [15522/98]
Written Answers. - Psychological Service.
There is a psychological service provided by my Department to primary schools in a limited number of areas. These schools are participating in a development project which will help inform my future plans for expansion of the psychological service. This service is not yet available to all primary schools in County Mayo.
The national school attended by the pupil mentioned is not one of the selected schools. It is therefore not possible at present for my Department to arrange a psychological assessment for him.
Applications for the psychological assessment of children in national schools outside the areas served by my Department may be made through the appropriate director of community care. Parents may access this service through the school medical service or the family doctor.
It is my intention to establish a national educational psychological service which will be available to all schools, both primary and post-primary. This will be introduced as resources permit, following the report of the planning group which I expect to receive in the near future. It will be some time before the psychological service from my Department will be in a position to take over responsibility for all psychological assessments for educational purposes from the health authorities.