Bernard Allen
Question:136 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science the average waiting period for assessment of dyslexic children in each of the health board areas. [9356/01]
Written Answers. - Psychological Service.
Bernard Allen
Question:137 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will have investigations made into the way in which children suffering from dyslexia have had to wait 30 months for an appointment with a child psychologist in the Southern Health Board area; and the action he proposes to address this situation. [9358/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 136 and 137 together.
In past years, psychological assessment of national school children, including those suspected of having dyslexia, has been the responsibility of psychologists employed by the health boards and by voluntary agencies under their aegis. However, the Government decided in early 1999 that my Department should take the lead role in the provision of educational psychological services to schools. In September 1999, therefore, my Department established the National Educational Psychological Service agency – NEPS – with the remit of developing a service that would be available to all primary and post-primary schools. NEPS is organised in collaboration with the clinical services provided and funded by the health boards.
The expansion of the NEPS to all schools is proceeding in an orderly and phased manner to allow for the recruitment and induction of appropriately qualified psychologists. It has just begun a programme of expansion and improvement of level of service. At the end of the school year 2003-04, it is envisaged that all schools will have access to the service offered by the agency.
In those schools served by NEPS, the psychologists do not keep waiting lists in the sense of lists of named students who are seen in order. However, an important part of the psychologists' work is to assist principals and teachers to develop procedures for screening, identifying and prioritising those students who are most in need of help. As stated above, this service will eventually be available to all schools.
I am aware that teachers and parents of children in schools not yet served by NEPS have experienced difficulties in gaining access to psycho-educational assessments. I have therefore asked NEPS to develop a short-term strategy to alleviate the situation pending the appointment of the full quota of psychologists to the agency. The matter of waiting lists in the health boards does not come within the remit of NEPS or my Department.
I am also aware of the advisability of early assessment, diagnosis and intervention in the case of children with specific learning difficulties. In early October, I formally launched a task force to review educational policies and provision for children with dyslexia – specific reading disability. The task force will report to me shortly with its recommendations.