Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2004
226 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Education and Science if travel concessions can be given for a person (details supplied) in County Clare who needs the assistance of a resource teacher to go to a school not in the catchment area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14615/04]
View answerMy Department has no record of having received an application for special education resources from the school referred to by the Deputy.
Any application received will be considered in the context of the criteria set out in the relevant Department circulars and the existing level of SER provision in the school.
227 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science when a person (details supplied) in County Limerick aged ten who was diagnosed with dyslexia two years ago and has a reading age of seven will receive a psychological assessment; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that this person has been waiting for two years for an assessment due to the fact that their school is only entitled to two per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14620/04]
View answerThe National Educational Psychological Service provides a service to the school attended by the named person. The school provides an excellent learning support service and children who are diagnosed with dyslexia receive further diagnostic testing and focused teaching within the school, in consultation with the area psychologist. A referral for individual psychological assessment is normally made only if the child is failing to make progress, even with learning support.
Area psychologists discuss the needs of each school with the principal and they agree on a work plan for the school year, including any assessment work that is regarded by the school as a priority. There is no limit to the amount of assessments that may be carried out in schools served by NEPS, apart from the obvious constraint of time. However, because of the concerns expressed in this case, the NEPS psychologist assigned to the school will visit it before the end of this term to discuss the case and to ascertain what further assessment, if any, is needed.
