Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 6

Written Answers. - Psychological Service.

John Browne

Question:

400 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that teachers who contact the health board psychology service are told to contact his Department's school psychology service regarding children who have specific learning disabilities; his views on whether teachers are left in an impossible position due to this passing of responsibility; and the plans, if any, he has to provide a lasting solution to the problem. [27020/99]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I am aware of the situation raised by the Deputy. In the past, responsibility for the assessment of national school children rested with the health boards or with voluntary organisations under their aegis. Whilst real progress is being made in the recruitment of additional psychologists for the National Educational Psychological Service agency, the agency will not be up to its full projected strength until the end of its five-year development phase. This has led to a lacuna in provision of assessments in some areas of the country.

I am committed to the development of a quality educational psychological service that will adequately meet the needs of our children and young people. It is essential, therefore, that the expansion of NEPS should proceed in a phased and orderly way, to allow time for newly appointed psychologists to have an adequate induction period before being assigned to their areas. Earlier in the year, therefore, I wrote to my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, drawing his attention to the situation, and asking him to request the health boards to attempt to continue providing an assessment service during the development phase of NEPS. He readily agreed to do this and I know that he has written to the health boards about the matter.

A management committee oversees the overall development of NEPS. This consists of officials from my Department, the Department of Health and Children and of the health boards. The management committee has also identified the issue raised by the Deputy as one that requires an early solution. The committee is developing an action plan for co-ordination of the educational and clinical psychological services. The production of national guidelines will be followed by local discussions so that satisfactory arrangements for the provision of assessments can be made in each area.