Vol. 568 No. 1
134 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the withdrawal of psychological services to the children of St. Ita's and St. Joseph's School, Balloonagh, Tralee, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15513/03]
Support services to this school have traditionally been provided by the Brothers of Charity, a voluntary body under the aegis of the Southern Health Board. I cannot, therefore, comment upon any withdrawal of these services.
However, the National Educational Psychological Service has commenced a needs analysis survey in St. Ita's and St. Joseph's School. The survey is being conducted by a senior psychologist in NEPS. The purpose of the survey is to establish baseline data on the needs of the children in the school to inform discussions with the Southern Health Board and the Brothers of Charity Services. It is hoped that the agencies involved will be able to provide a collaborative psychological service to the school. NEPS intends to provide educational psychological inputs to the school as soon as the NEPS staffing complement in County Kerry is up to full strength.
