The process of developing the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, dates back to a Government decision of February 1999. The decision included agreement to the establishment of NEPS, giving it delegated authority to develop and provide an educational psychological service to all students who need it in primary and post-primary schools and in other relevant centres supported by my Department. The decision also agreed that there should be an initial development period of five years.
NEPS has now reached the end of its development period, during which time there have been many changes in the educational system, some of which have implications for the work and mandate of NEPS. For example, a number of reports, including that of the task force on autism, have been produced that have possible implications for its role. The recent establishment of the National Council for Special Education also will affect the work of NEPS. For these reasons, an intensive process of strategic review, including consultations with relevant sections of my Department and other stakeholders, is under way in relation to NEPS at present. Issues such as the development of a psychological service for children and young people outside the mainstream school system will be considered as part of that process.