Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 28 Feb 1995

Vol. 449 No. 7

Written Answers. - Psychological Assessment.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

181 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there are 20 children in need of psychological assessment at a school (details supplied) in County Louth and some of these children are waiting for five years; when this was first brought to the attention of her Department by the school management or board of management; the steps, if any, she proposes to take to rectify this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4542/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

My Department has no record of a request for psychological assessment from the school in question.

The responsibility for psychological assessment of any such children is a matter for the health authorities through the director of community care.

My Department is currently in the process of developing a school psychological service at primary level on a phased basis. To this end, ten additional psychologists have been recruited recently and a further ten will be recruited later this year. However, it will be some time before this new service will be in a position to take on the responsibilities for educational assessments from the health authorities.