Vol. 561 No. 6
88 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Mayo was not assessed by an educational psychologist in view of the very difficult literacy problems they have, in particular their reading ability; when this person can expect to get help considering that they have a reading ability of seven and are 13 years of age; and the specialist help available to this person. [5064/03]
The national educational psychological service has been expanding gradually on a national basis in the past few years in accordance with its development plan. At present over 75% of primary schools in County Mayo have direct access to NEPS and full coverage of schools is expected by 2004.
In this development phase those schools, including the school in question, without direct access to a psychological service from NEPS can avail of my Department's scheme for commissioning private assessments pending the expansion of the NEPS service to all schools.
I understand from NEPS that the school in question is entitled to two assessments under the SCPA for the current school year but the school did not prioritise the pupil in question for assessment. A psychological assessment was commissioned privately by the parents and carried out in January.
In September the pupil is due to transfer to a post-primary school to which a NEPS psychologist is assigned.
