Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 6

Written Answers. - Psychological Service.

Phil Hogan

Question:

388 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure the resumption of psychology services to the School of the Holy Spirit, Kilkenny, in view of the fact that this service was withdrawn in September 1999 with consequences for children with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26860/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

My understanding is that the psychological service for the South Eastern Health Board provided for this school that was withdrawn in September 1999. For the moment, the National Educational Psychological Service, is not yet in a position to provide the school with a service.

However, I share the Deputy's concern for the welfare of the pupils of the school, and I am confident that it will be possible to provide some help before too long. The expansion of the NEPS agency has now begun. Interviews for 25 new psychologists have recently been completed and it is hoped that the new appointees will take up their positions early in the New Year. Interviews for a further 25 psychologists are scheduled to begin during the first half of January 2000.

Within each region and within each county, the priorities for expansion will be agreed by NEPS in consultation with local interests, including other providers of psychological services and the main client groups. The management team in NEPS has been collecting relevant data about each county and will supplement this with local discussions, beginning immediately after Christmas.

Schools such as the School of the Holy Spirit may well need the support of both educational and clinical psychologists. The role of NEPS psychologists will be to provide a consultative and supportive service to schools. Wherever possible, children and young people will be helped in schools by their teachers with the advice and help of educational psychologists. The NEPS psychologists will also work individually with a number of students. Students who have difficulties such as severe emotional disturbance or autism, that require detailed multi-disciplinary assessment, family intervention or long-term therapeutic counselling, will continue to be referred on to specialist clinical services.

I assure the Deputy that detailed discussions between NEPS and the principal of the Holy Spirit School will begin as soon as possible. The aim will be to establish which part of the psychological support work for the school is appropriate to NEPS and to arrange for a phased transfer of such responsibility.