Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Apr 2001

Vol. 534 No. 3

Written Answers. - Psychological Service.

Paul McGrath

Question:

328 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the failure of his Department to put in place a psychological testing service in County Westmeath for primary school children in need of assessment; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that applications to his Department for additional resource teachers cannot be processed; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are long waiting times for children to have assessments carried out privately; his views on whether the resulting delays are detrimental to some children and that they are not being given the resources to achieve their potential; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10812/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

At present there are 80 psychologists serving with the National Educational Psychological Service. Since the beginning of September 2000 there have been 31 appointments and I intend to appoint up to 20 more psychologists before the end of the current school year. In addition, I hope to recruit another 28 psychologists later in this year.

Most of the newly appointed psychologists have now completed their induction programme and are being assigned to schools. Unfortunately, it has not yet been possible to extend the NEPS service to primary schools in County Westmeath. The county has been identified as a high priority for future expansion.

I recognise the effects on some children of their inability to gain access to psychological assessments in situations where a national educational psychological service psychologist has not yet been appointed. Officials of my Department are developing a set of proposals aimed at alleviating the problem, pending the time when it will have achieved its full staffing complement.