Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Dec 2001

Vol. 546 No. 5

Written Answers. - Psychological Service.

Liam Aylward

Question:

310 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 640 of 20 March 2001, the position regarding the services of educational psychologists to a special school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; the progress for additional services and resources which should be available for pupils with special needs in this school; if in the case of a person (details supplied) he has satisfied himself as to the entitlements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32388/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

At the time of its establishment in 1999, the development plan for the national educational psychological service envisaged its achieving nationwide coverage by the end of 2004. However, in July this year the Government approved my proposals to accelerate the development of NEPS with a view to its achieving full nationwide coverage by the end of 2002. NEPS is being expanded in line with the agreed target. As part of this process, the Civil Service and local government commissioners are organising a competition to recruit more psychologists to the service. The needs of the area mentioned by the Deputy will be given a high priority in the assignment of additional psychologists.

Also earlier this year, the Government approved an allocation of £1.25 million to facilitate the funding of private assessments in areas where urgent assessment is needed and where NEPS is unable to provide the necessary service within a reasonable timeframe. Details of this scheme were issued to all schools in August 2001.

With regard to the child mentioned by the Deputy, my Department's inspectorate will be in contact with the child's family very shortly to discuss how the child's needs can best be addressed in a school setting. In the event of any further educational psychological assessment report being required as a result of these discussions, arrangements will be made to fund such assessment under the scheme referred to above. In the meantime, pending the arrangement of a suitable school placement, my Department is prepared to sanction an allocation of ten hours home tuition per week for the child. My Department will be in contact with the child's family very shortly in relation to this matter.