Vol. 504 No. 4
287 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has sought details of the number of children whom principals of primary schools in Dublin 24 believe to be in need of psychological assessments; the way in which this compares to the service available; and the likelihood of an early assessment for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24 whose parents believe may be dyslexic. [12189/99]
My Department provides a psychological service to a number of primary schools in Dublin 24. The psychologists assigned to those schools contact the principals on a regular basis and are informed by them as to the numbers of pupils who appear to be in need of psychological assessment.
The school attended by the child named by the Deputy is not, as yet, one of the schools served by my Department's psychological service. However, a number of psychologists are about to be engaged on short-term contract to carry out urgent assessment work during the remainder of the school year. Every effort will be made to provide advice in respect of the child in question.
I will shortly be establishing a national educational psychological service agency – NEPS. This will provide for a phased expansion of the psychological service. It is envisaged that, at the end of a five year period, the service will be readily available to all schools.
The first expansion phase will begin this year with the recruitment of 25 additional psychologists. Priority for expansion in these first two years will be given to those areas with a high incidence of educational disadvantage and with little access to other psychological services. My Department is currently examining the needs and resources in different areas in order to set priorities.
