I am grateful for the opportunity to raise this matter. The motion relates to the appointment of a psychologist for primary schools in County Laois and County Offaly and when such an appointment will be made. Many pupils attend primary schools with the result that class sizes are quite large. For long periods many teachers are unable to ascertain whether a child has a problem. It may take some time for a teacher to realise that a child is not making progress or that they have emotional or academic problems. Some children may also suffer from speech problems, low self-esteem or a lack of confidence in their own work. Parents and teachers may take some time to realise the extent of such problems.
I understand that there are no educational psychologists in any of the primary schools in County Laois and County Offaly. At present if a child has a psychological problem it is first noted by the teacher, who then contacts the Midland Health Board. The Midland Health Board, serving the area in which I live, does not have an educational psychologist. The educational psychologist for the area is attached to Moore Abbey in Monasterevin, which is run by the Sisters of Charity, who supply the service to the Midland Health Board. A child with psychological problems, who is the responsibility of the health board in the first instance, visits this psychologist. The child is then assessed but there is no back-up or ongoing service. At present the service is particularly limited. I understand that there is a waiting period of approximately seven months before a child is interviewed by the educational psychologist. Therefore, the service is almost non-existent.
The Minister has initiated a pilot scheme for post-primary pupils which will involve the appointment of approximately ten educational psychologists, one of whom will be based in Tullamore. I welcome this advance, which is a small step in the right direction, because this problem must be addressed.
I recently read an article about problem children and problems which arise in later life. An experienced teacher in a primary school can recognise at an early stage that children are experiencing problems by the way they dress, their manners, their approach to authority, etc. Unless a child's problems are addressed and rectified, they will proceed to cause real problems later in life. The individual involved will progress from being a problem child to a problem teenager to a problem citizen. A proper investment at primary school level will be of enormous benefit to society.
I request that two psychologists be appointed to deal with primary schools in County Laois and County Offaly. I am aware that this will take time and money but it is essential that it takes place. Pupils have been neglected and such children tend to suffer from that neglect for the rest of their lives. However, if the problem is addressed at an early stage, a solution or remedy can be provided. I appeal strongly to the Minister to have the problem, as it relates to County Laois and County Offaly, rectified.
