Brendan Griffin
Question:273. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if there is an existing panel of qualified educational psychologists in the south-west; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51020/22]
View answerThursday, 13 October 2022
Questions (273, 274)
Brendan Griffin
Question:274. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education the reason that a current educational psychologist post vacancy in the south-west is not being filled from the existing educational psychologist panel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51028/22]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 273 and 274 together.
The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) of my Department provides a much valued service to all recognised primary and post-primary schools. The service provided by NEPS is broad, and encompasses a model that seeks to strengthen the overall capacity of the system to support the wellbeing, participation and inclusion of all children and young people in our schools, but particularly for those with special educational needs. In schools the psychologist works with teachers, parents and children/young people to provide a range of services.
The NEPS service provides access for all schools to:
- Psychological support in the event of a Critical Incident
- A Casework Service for individual children where there is a need for intensive consultation and assessment and
- A school staff Support and Development Service, to build school capability to provide a comprehensive continuum of support in schools
- Ongoing access to advice and support for schools.
This overall approach allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent individual cases and, through supporting school staff, to benefit many more children than could be seen individually.
In 2021 the NEPS casework service extended to over 8500 students. Additionally, under the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA) process, private psychologists provided assessment to schools for over 900 students. Furthermore, the NEPS Support and Development service reaches an estimated 25,000 teachers annually.
Where a vacancy arises in NEPS, schools continue to have access to NEPS for critical incident support, for regional support and development service and also to a NEPS psychologist for responses to queries, through the local NEPS office. In relation to a casework service, schools may access a casework service, where there is need, via psychologists on the SCPA panel. The local NEPS office is available to discuss any other requirements that schools may have.
Officials in my Department recently met with the Public Appointments Service regarding a recruitment process that is due to commence before the end of this year.
Question No. 274 answered with Question No. 273.