Vol. 562 No. 2
175 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of vacancies within his Department for psychologists; his plans to rectify the matter; the timescale involved in his proposals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5857/03]
There are 56 posts remaining to be filled in the National Educational Psychological Service Agency (NEPS) to achieve the overall target of 200 psychologists at all levels in the educational sector by the end of 2004. It is planned to fill 30 posts in 2003 and the remainder in 2004.
176 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Education and Science the psychological service which is available to the special language classes in St. Mark's Junior School in Tallaght; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a need for such services to ensure that the children can return to mainstream classes and that such children cannot access resource teaching unless they have a physiologist's report; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that there are seven children awaiting such a report; the plans his Department has to rectify the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5858/03]
For several years, the health board has taken responsibility for admission and review assessments for children in the speech and language class in St. Mark's Junior School, Tallaght. This service was provided by a health board psychologist based in the Ballinteer language unit. I understand the principal of St. Mark's School recently received a letter stating that there would no longer be a service provided from Ballinteer and that NEPS would take on the service. The health board has not yet contacted NEPS to discuss this issue.
I am aware of the need for review assessments to ensure that the children can return to mainstream classes when they are ready. I am also aware that the current situation is that such children cannot access resource teaching unless they have a psychological report. It has been brought to my attention that there are a number of children awaiting such reports.
Discussions are ongoing between the health boards and NEPS about the transfer of responsibility for certain areas of work. However, this must be done on a phased basis, as NEPS is not yet up to full strength. A working party representative of the health boards and NEPS has produced a report, Achieving Through Partnership, which contains an action plan for collaboration at national, regional and local levels. This report has been approved by the NEPS management committee and it is intended to begin implementing the action plan immediately. The needs of units such as that in St. Mark's are being considered by NEPS in that context.
Question No. 177 answered with Question No. 174.
