Vol. 542 No. 5
487 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science when a school psychological service will be made available to a school (details supplied) in County Limerick in order that children with special needs who are enrolled in the school can be appropriately assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25317/01]
The Deputy will be aware that I have recently increased the number of psychologists in NEPS from 43 to 88. At my request the Civil Service Commission has recently advertised for further educational psychologists for appointment to NEPS. A high priority will be given to assigning successful applicants to regions that are currently under-staffed, including the mid-western region. I have been concerned for some time about children with special educational needs in schools that do not yet have access to the psychological service provided by NEPS. I have, therefore, recently made funding available to NEPS to allow such schools to commission psychological assessments from private practitioners. NEPS has drawn up and issued to all schools, including those in County Limerick, guidelines on how to avail of this scheme.
