Ceist:
323 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of phychologists available to assess students with dyslexia in the Cork city region. [11745/00]
Written Answers. - Psychological Service.
The number of psychologists employed by the Department of Education and Science in the Cork city area is six. Two of these provide a service to all primary schools in the city designated as disadvantaged, and four psychologists provide a service to all second level schools in the city. This service includes assessment and support for children and young people with specific learning difficulties, such as dyslexia.
Psychologists employed by my Department work in the national educational psychological service. When recruitment to this service is complete, it will be organised in ten regions, corresponding to the health board regions. Within each region, priorities for expansion will be informed by the results of a survey of each county that has recently been completed by the NEPS psychologists. Among other things, they are looking at evidence of disadvantage, incidence of special needs and the level of access to other psychological services.