Vol. 526 No. 5
118 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Education and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Mayo who is unable to obtain an urgently needed psychological assessment for his 11 year old son and who has to avail of an assessment from private services at a cost of £250 per session, can reclaim this amount from his Department. [27143/00]
I have appointed 26 additional psychologists in the National Educational Psychological Service Agency since the beginning of September. As soon as they have completed their programme of induction training, they will begin visiting schools. This will be before the end of the current school term.
I am aware of the difficulties that have been experienced by some parents in gaining access to psychological assessments, pending the appointment of the full quota of psychologists for NEPS. I have asked officials of my Department to consider, in collaboration with the relevant health authorities, how the problem of costs incurred by parents in securing private assessments where no service is provided by the State might be alleviated.
