Vol. 525 No. 2
824 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Education and Science the position with regard to assessments for dyslexia; if there is an educational assessment service available at present to primary schools in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23809/00]
Psychologists from the National Edu cational Psychological Service, NEPS, work in collaboration with teachers and parents and use agreed diagnostic criteria in order to identify children with specific learning difficulties, including dyslexia.
Currently, all post primary schools and 16 primary schools in County Wicklow have access to the services of NEPS. Pending the expansion of NEPS and following discussions with representatives of the health boards, it has been agreed that referrals for urgent psychological assessments of pupils in schools which have not yet had access to its services should be directed to the relevant health board.
