Helen Keogh
Ceist:279 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Education if she will ensure that a proper psychological assessment process will be entered into with regard to persons (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [21919/96]
Written Answers. - Psychological Service.
It is the responsibility of the Director of Community Care in the appropriate health board to arrange for the psychological assessments of pupils attending national schools where such are deemed necessary.
Fourteen psychologists have been appointed by the Department of Education in order to develop a psychological service for primary schools. These are assigned, as a matter of priority, to schools serving disadvantaged areas.
County Leitrim is one of the areas not yet served by the Department's psychological service to primary schools. At present, psychologists are assigned to primary schools serving disadvantaged areas in the cities of Dublin, Cork and Limerick, in west Tallaght and Clondalkin, and in Tipperary South Riding. Given the current level of staffing, it is not possible at present to offer the service to other areas.