Michael Healy-Rae
Question:186. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding services in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32265/18]
View answerThursday, 12 July 2018
Questions (186)
Written answers
As the Deputy may be aware my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological supports and service to schools nationwide to support the well-being, and the personal, social and educational development of all children in Primary and Post-Primary schools through the application of psychological theory and practice, having particular regard for children with special educational needs. These supports include, among others, the provision of support and development to teachers to build their capacity to support all children. NEPS psychologists also engage in individual casework with pupils with particular difficulties, including assessment, to identify need and inform intervention. Casework is a priority service for NEPS and represents the largest part of its input to schools.
This individual casework can, where appropriate, identify onward referral pathways for the pupil to outside clinical and therapeutic services operated or funded by the HSE. NEPS has developed protocols and understandings with HSE services both nationally and locally in relation to these referral pathways. NEPS psychologists are available to advise and assist teachers in implementing recommendations, appropriate to the school setting, which are the product of this individual casework.
In relation to Special National Schools, which are the subject of the Deputy’s question, I can inform him that while NEPS currently provides service to approximately half of these school nationally. Other special schools receive multi-disciplinary services, including psychology, from HSE services or bodies funded by the HSE.
If the Deputy has an enquiry in respect of any particular special school and can identify it to me I will be pleased to describe the service supplied to it by NEPS.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.