Vol. 541 No. 5
259 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science the way in which he proposes to facilitate access to the special fund for children with learning disabilities in areas where they cannot be assessed by a psychologist due to long waiting lists; the guidelines that have been given to school principals regarding this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23352/01]
Full details of the scheme for the commissioning of individual psychological assessments of children from private practitioners, pending the expansion of the service provided by the National Psychological Service (NEPS), were issued to the principals of all primary and post-primary schools in August 2001 by NEPS. Details are also available on my Department's website. Access to this scheme, is through school principals in the case of primary schools that do not yet have access to the NEPS service, and through NEPS in the case of all other schools. The scheme is currently being implemented on my behalf by NEPS. I am forwarding a copy of the scheme to the Deputy for her information.
260 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that teachers are now referring children to their general practitioners to be assessed for dyslexia due to the shortage of school psychologists; his views on whether this is appropriate; the action he will take to provide adequate numbers of psychologists for schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23353/01]
The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) was established on 1 September 1999, with delegated authority to develop and provide an educational psychological service to all students in primary and post-primary schools and in certain other centres supported by the Department.
The expansion of NEPS is currently under way in line with a plan that provides for its development in a phased and equitable manner and with a target number of 200 psychologists. The plan provides for a gradual expansion in the primary sector until all schools have access to the service, while improving the level of service in the post-primary sector. Staffing levels in the NEPS have doubled from 43 psychologists initially to 88 at present. My Department has initiated a further competition for the recruitment of additional psychologists before the end of the calendar year. I also announced during the summer that arrangements have been made to enable the full complement of 200 NEPS psychologists to be appointed by the end of 2002, two years ahead of schedule.
