Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 20 Mar 2002

Vol. 550 No. 4

Written Answers. - Psychological Service.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

68 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to an application for funding from the Holy Faith and De La Salle Orders for a psychological assessment and counselling service for their schools in the Dublin area; if his attention has further been drawn to the success of the St. John's Education Centre which they have established in Glasnevin; and if, in view of the increasing number of at risk students in the Dublin area, he will now give consideration to this application. [9194/02]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

I am aware that the Holy Faith and De La Salle Orders have prepared proposals for a psychological assessment and counselling service for their schools in the Dublin area and of the excellent work carried out by the orders in the past.

In relation to psychological services, the national educational psychological service agency, NEPS, currently provides a service to all post-primary schools and approximately 1,800 primary schools. Its first priority must be to expand its service as quickly as possible until all schools have access to it. This service is more than an assessment service, as it includes consultancy work with parents, teachers and school management.

Consideration of specific enhancement projects will be possible after this initial expansion phase has been completed. In the development of its service, NEPS will take account of the numbers of at risk students in each area and will welcome discussions on proposals for addressing areas of particularly great need.