Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2004
217 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will take action in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary who needs urgent assessment for dyslexia; and if an assessment will be expedited. [17253/04]
View answerIt is a matter for the school authorities, in consultation with the assigned psychologist from the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, to determine the priority list for individual psychological assessments. In this instance, it appears that the school felt that other assessment work was more urgent, as a referral has not been made to NEPS. However, the NEPS psychologist is available for consultation about the case and will monitor progress.
With regard to the concern about the student's eligibility for reasonable accommodations in certificate examinations, RACE, I assume that he will be sitting the junior certificate examinations in June 2006. Schools may apply to the State Examinations Commission for RACE regarding those examinations not earlier than September 2004 and not later than 31 December 2004. Full details are available in circular letter S40/94, paragraph 3.3, on the website of the State Examinations Commission.
It is not necessary to supply work samples or psychological evidence in most applications for RACE in the junior certificate examinations, see circular letter S70/00, final paragraph, SEC website. Therefore, the fact that the student has not yet been reassessed at post-primary level by a NEPS psychologist has no adverse implications for any RACE application that the school authorities may wish to make on his behalf.
If it should be the case that a psychological assessment is required to support the application, then the school should consult its NEPS psychologist in good time, so that priority can be given to the referral.
