Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Dec 1997

Vol. 484 No. 3

Written Answers. - Psychological Service.

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

344 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the criteria, if any, used in deciding if a pupil attending primary school should be referred for psychological assessment; if a pupil must be physically or mentally disadvantaged before an assessment is undertaken; the procedure for this assessment and the way in which it is initiated; the length of time pupils must wait for assessment and the subsequent report; and if there are long delays for these assessments for pupils in County Westmeath. [21874/97]

Paul McGrath

Ceist:

351 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Science the criteria, if any, used in deciding if a pupil attending primary school should be referred for psychological assessment; if a pupil must be physically or mentally disadvantaged before this assessment is undertaken; the procedure for this assessment and the way in which it is initiated; the length of time pupils must wait for assessment and the subsequent report and if there are long delays for these assessments for pupils in County Westmeath. [21873/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 344 and 351 together.

Members of my Departnment's psychological service who are deployed in primary schools carry out assessments as the resources of time and personnel allow. Pupils are referred for assessment mainly by school principals in consultation with their teaching colleagues and with their area psychologist.

Eligibility to receive help from the psychologist is not confined to pupils in any specific categories. The main reasons for referral to my Department's psychological service are poor academic progress, consideration for placement in a special school or class and behavioural or emotional difficulties. Where learning, emotional or linguistic difficulties are perceived to be more serious, the Department's psychologists refer pupils on to the appropriate agencies of health authorities for further assessment and treatment.

In consultation with school principals and teaching staff, my Department's psychologists give priority to pupils whose difficulties are perceived to be acute, and do not operate a formal waiting list. Such pupils may therefore be seen without undue delay. In general, the school principal makes the referral to the area psychologist by completing a standard referral form. The child's parents must be consulted in advance, and their written consent is essential. Assessments by Department psychologists, including meetings with parents, normally take place in school. An oral report is given at once to teachers and parents, and a written report follows within a few weeks.

My Department does not yet provide a psychological service to primary schools in County Westmeath. Responsibility for the provision of psychological services to children in national schools in the area, including waiting time for assessment, rests with the relevant regional health board.