Vol. 500 No. 3
106 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 175 of 5 November 1998, a representative from his Department's psychological service has been in contact with a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; if his Department's attention has been drawn to the fact he is still not in school and at this stage has been out of school since mid-1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3891/99]
One of my Department's psychologists began to investigate the needs of this student during November, by making inquiries in the school previously attended by him. Contact was then made with the students family during December. The psychologist carried out a full psychological assessment of the student and had an extended discussion with his mother before Christmas. As stated in the previous reply to the Deputy, selection and enrolment of pupils is a matter for individual school authorities. However, my Department is well aware of the urgent need to help this student to return to school. The present position is that my Department's psychologist is actively seeking further information from the schools in the area about what may be possible and in the best interests of the student.
