Robert Troy
Question:102. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure NEPS psychologist and SENO positions are filled without further delay (details supplied). [44320/23]
View answerWednesday, 11 October 2023
Questions (102)
Written answers
My Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary and special schools.
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 via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).
• A school staff Support and Development Service, to build school capability to provide a comprehensive continuum of support in schools and
• Ongoing access to advice and support for schools.
Where a school does not have an assigned psychologist due to a vacancy as in the case of the school referred to by the Deputy, a psychologist from the local NEPS team undertakes the role of advisory psychologist to respond to queries that the school may have. The schools continue to have access to support and development work delivered by the local team, critical incident response, advisory support and pupil casework via the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).
Officials in my Department have been examining the matter of how NEPS can continue to recruit adequate numbers of suitably qualified staff and continue to respond to the educational psychological needs of children in recognised primary and post-primary schools across the country.
Since January of this year, NEPS is supporting bursaries for students who are enrolled in the University College Dublin (UCD) Professional Doctorate in Educational Psychology and the Mary Immaculate College (MIC), Limerick’s Professional Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology for Trainee Educational Psychologists. Those in receipt of a bursary commit to joining NEPS upon graduation. As of September 2023 there are 62 Trainee Educational Psychologists in receipt of a bursary from NEPS who are expected will fill a vacancy in NEPS upon graduation, over the next three years.
The Department is also engaging at a Cross-Departmental Level on workforce planning for psychologists in general in Ireland. This work is being coordinated by the Department of Health.
The Public Appointments Service (PAS) commenced a recruitment campaign for Educational Psychologists for NEPS earlier this year. Interviews have taken place, and panels of psychologists have been created. My Department is actively engaging with PAS to maximise the numbers of psychologists being recruited.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of Special needs Organisers (SENOs), for fulfilling the functions of the Council within a designated area in relation to the identification of and delivery and co-ordination of education services to children with disabilities. The Council employs SENOs to provide a nationwide system of local services. Locally based SENOs consult widely with parents/guardians, teachers, health care professionals, school authorities, HSE and other relevant government agencies. It is a priority that the NCSE is properly resourced to have a visible and effective presence in our schools and to guide and support our parents and children on their educational journey.
NCSE SENOs are assigned on a regional basis as opposed to a county basis. Westmeath comes under North Team 1 and there are currently 6 SENOs assigned to this team with no vacancies. Where a SENO vacancy arises, a SENO point of contact is assigned to the area to assist schools, parents and local services until the position is filed. Essential services are maintained through cover provided from available staff resources. If parents are unsure of the SENO for their area, they can contact the team manager for the region, who will be able to inform them of the SENO’s details providing interim cover. A list of Regional Manager, Team Manager, and SENO contact details can be found on the regional contact list on the NCSE website.
On the 6th October 2023, the NCSE announced a new recruitment competition for the role of SENO, this will increase the pool of suitably qualified candidates with the competencies and values to carry out the critical role which children, parents and staff need. Notwithstanding the above, it is important to note that there has been ongoing recruitment of theses grades since the start of 2023.