Vol. 525 No. 2
900 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science if the identification of young children with dyslexia or other special educational needs is solely a matter for his Department or the Department of Health and Children; if not, where the responsibility lies; if he has satisfied himself that the system is working satisfactorily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24319/00]
Psychologists from the National Educational Psychological Service work in collaboration with teachers and parents and use agreed diagnostic criteria to identify children with specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia. In some cases, following this initial investigation, these children may be referred to the relevant health board for further specialist diagnosis.
Currently, the NEPS service is available to all national schools designated as disadvantaged in the cities of Dublin, Cork and Limerick and all national schools in south Tipperary and clusters of 20 to 30 national schools in County Clare, East County Cork, North County Dublin, Galway City and County, North Kerry, County Kildare, County Louth, County Mayo, County Meath, County Offaly, County Sligo, North Tipperary and County Wicklow.
Pending the completion of the development of the NEPS service and following discussions with representatives of the health boards, it has been agreed that referrals for urgent psychological assessments of pupils in schools which have not yet access to its services should be directed to the relevant health board. The director of NEPS has written to all national schools informing them of these arrangements.
