Bernard J. Durkan
Question:205 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will provide full psychological assessments in line with requirements at primary and second level. [19786/04]
View answerWednesday, 30 June 2004
Questions (142, 143, 144)
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:206 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will meet the psychological assessment requirements at primary and second level schools throughout County Kildare. [19787/04]
View answerBernard J. Durkan
Question:207 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will meet the psychological assessment requirements at primary and second level schools. [19788/04]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 to 207, inclusive, together.
My Department is committed to providing a full educational psychological service to all schools. Over the past few years the National Educational Psychological Service has expanded gradually on a national basis in accordance with the Government's decision of February 1999.
It was envisaged that approximately 180 psychologists would be employed in NEPS by the end of the five year development period. Notwithstanding the time consuming aspects of recruiting professional staff, there are 130 psychologists in NEPS, including three on career break. Since Easter four psychologists have taken up posts. They will be assigned to schools after they have completed an induction course.
The psychological service has not reached its full staffing complement and, therefore, it cannot offer a service to all schools. In County Kildare approximately 67% of pupils at both levels have access to the service. This is the typical situation in many counties. NEPS psychologists and administrative staff are included in my Department's overall staffing complement. The future recruitment of psychologists must be dealt with in that context. I cannot say when the service will be fully staffed even though it remains a priority for my Department.
An element of the service is the provision of psychological assessments, where needed. During its development phase some schools experienced difficulties in accessing such assessments. I funded schools that did not have direct access. They can avail of the scheme for commissioning private assessments that NEPS administers. The organisation circulated details of SCPA to all schools and full information is also available on my Department's website. The scheme is an interim arrangement and is not a substitute for a full educational psychological service. Such a service provides a wide range of supports for schools, including assessments.