Psychological Service.

Wednesday, 31 January 2007

Ceisteanna (1566)

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

1647 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a clinic (details supplied) which undertakes psychological assessments of children, wrote in November 2006 asking parents if they would still like their child to be seen, confirming that there is a waiting time of about three years from the time of receiving a referral and stating that they have no control over this situation; if she will immediately increase the allocation of funds and personnel to the clinic in order to reduce the waiting time; if this cannot be done the immediate action she will take to pay for private psychological and psychoeducational assessments having regard to the importance of early intervention in a child’s educational and career life; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2071/07]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

As the Deputy will be aware all primary and post primary schools have access to psychological assessments either directly through the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) or through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA). Schools that do not currently have NEPS psychologists assigned to them may avail of the SCPA, whereby the school can have an assessment carried out by a member of the panel of private psychologists approved by NEPS, and NEPS will pay the psychologist the fees for this assessment directly.

The clinic referred to by the Deputy falls under the jurisdiction of the HSE and therefore, it would not be appropriate for me to make comment.

I can inform the Deputy that discussions are currently underway between the Departments of Education and Health and Children with regard to the implementation of both the Disability Act and the EPSEN Act and these discussions will have a focus on early intervention and provision.

Question No. 1648 answered with Question No. 1453.