Vol. 398 No. 3
42 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which psychological assessments are available in national schools throughout the country; the extent to which such service is required in these schools at present; and if she has any proposals to improve the degree of psychological assessments available to national schools; and if she will make a statment on the matter.
Where authorities of individual national schools consider that a pupil requires psychological assessment the matter is referred to the local director of community care of the appropriate health board. It is then for the director of community care to make arrangements for such an assessment to be carried out.
As the Deputy is aware, I have initiated pilot projects on the establishment of a psychological service for primary schools. These projects will operate in two areas of the country, one of which is located in an urban area and one in a mainly rural area. Experience of these projects should provide improved information on needs in relation to psychological assessment.
