Emmet Stagg
Question:162 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science the services available to persons in County Kildare who need behavioural psychologist treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30221/01]
Written Answers. - Psychological Service.
The provision of psychological support for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties is shared between the psychological services provided by my Department and by the Department of Health and Children. The National Educational Psychological Service Agency provides a psychological service to all post-primary schools and 29 primary schools in County Kildare. NEPS is also initiating a pilot project in a further 26 primary schools. In these schools, initial requests for support for any child with emotional and behavioural difficulties can be made to the NEPS psychologist assigned to the school. The psychologist will provide advice on behavioural management, will undertake any assessment that may be appropriate and may engage in counselling the child and family.
In acute cases, where more intensive and long-term therapeutic and family support is considered necessary, the NEPS psychologist will refer the child on to the child psychiatric services of the health board. The NEPS psychologist will liaise with the health board services and will continue to be available to offer advice to the school. Pending the full expansion of NEPS to all schools, those schools that do not yet have a service from NEPS should make referrals directly to the Health Board.