Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 Feb 2003

Vol. 562 No. 3

Written Answers - Special Educational Needs.

David Stanton

Question:

57 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 134 and 135 of 13 February 2003, the reasons no extra resource hours have been allocated to the persons in question to be made available to the school and to the parents of the children involved; if, in future, full and complete explanations will be made to the parents of all children whose applications for extra resource teaching hours, which have been supported by detailed and professional psychological reports, have been rejected by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5893/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

My Department allocates additional resources to children in the primary sector when it is clear that the results of professional assessments are in compliance with Circular Letter 8/02. The special education section advises the school that the application for resources has been allocated or rejected and the section would not normally correspond directly with parents.

When a psychologist has assessed a child it is the general practice to meet the parents afterwards to discuss the results of any assessment tests. At this stage the psychologist will explain to the parents whether or not the child is eligible for extra resources under the terms of the circular. It is the responsibility of psychologists carrying out such assessments to be familiar with the terms of the circular, to make recommendations in accordance with them and to so advise the child's parents. In addition to NEPS staff, there are also a number of other psychologists working in the educational system, bringing the current total to approximately 130.

The Civil Service and Local Appointments Commissioners have established a panel of suitably qualified psychologists, selected during the most recent recruitment competition for NEPS. It is intended to continue to appoint these psychologists during 2003.

I am aware that there have been delays in certain areas of the country in the process of assessing children with special educational needs and I am committed to expediting access to psychological assessments. My Department has therefore made funding available for schools to commission assessments from suitably qualified private practitioners, pending the recruitment of the full complement of psychologists to NEPS. NEPS has issued details of how to avail of this scheme to all schools and has also posted them on my Department's web site.

Question No. 58 answered with Question No. 8.