Written Answers. - Psychological Service.
Brendan Howlin
Question:
280
Mr. Howlin
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who has been referred for psychological assessment has been informed that he cannot be given an appointment for six months; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that an assessment by a psychologist is a prerequisite to the provision of additional resources for a child with learning difficulties and the delay in assessment is exacerbating this person's problems at a crucial stage in his education; when an educational psychologist for primary schools in County Wexford will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[17195/00]
Minister for Education and Science
(Dr. Woods): I am happy to inform you that up to 50 additional psychologists have been selected by the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commission and will, I hope, be taking up their posts before September. I have already approved the appointment of 25 of these psychologists. The appointments will bring the total number of psychologists in NEPS to 100 and further appointments will be made to increase the number to 200 over the coming years in accordance with the development plan for the agency.
I am aware that difficulties exist in relation to educational assessments for pupils in primary schools not yet served by the National Educational Psychological Service. Pending the expansion of NEPS, a working group of representatives from NEPS and the Department of Health and Children has been established to put procedures in place to deal with urgent referrals for psychological assessment. In the case referred to in your question, an application should be made to the health board for the psychological service required. I am aware that an assessment is required in order to obtain additional resources for a pupil.
It is planned to organise NEPS in ten regions, corresponding to the health board regions. The overall allocation of psychologists to regions will be largely based on the projected student numbers in each. In the interests of equity, it is proposed that each cohort of additional psychologists will be shared among the regions on a pro rata basis, until each region has reached its target staffing quota.
However, within each region, priorities for expansion will be informed by the results of a survey of each county that has recently been undertaken by the NEPS psychologists. Among other matters, NEPS has investigated the level of access to psychological services apart from NEPS. Any local difficulties will be taken into account in planning for expansion at local level.
