Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Jun 2003

Vol. 569 No. 3

Written Answers. - Psychological Service.

John Perry

Question:

248 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will rescind the decision made on a resource teacher for St. Mary's national school, County Leitrim, in view of the fact that it is a much needed service and in view of the pilot programme with Leitrim and Dundalk fast-tracking the need for resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17472/03]

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

It is not proposed to revise the decision made concerning non-allocation of resources for certain pupils attending St Mary's national school, County Leitrim. In this case, a psychologist of the national educational psychological service, NEPS, checked the data supplied in all the available professional reports to see if they complied with the criteria in my Department's circulars. The outcome of this review was that the criteria were not complied with and this decision was conveyed to the school authorities.

The programme for Leitrim and Dundalk referred to by the Deputy is a pilot programme being carried out by NEPS. Schools in both areas carried out a screening process on pupils during the months of February-March 2003 and NEPS is currently examining the outcome of this process. It is expected that a report will be available later in the summer.