Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017
580. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a psychological assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28333/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that my Department's National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychology service to all primary and post primary schools through an assigned NEPS psychologist and in some cases receive assessment services through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA). Under this scheme schools can have a student 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.
In common with many other psychological services and best international practice, NEPS has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. Psychologists use a problem solving and solution focused consultative approach to maximise positive outcomes for these pupils. NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention for pupils with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Teachers may consult their NEPS psychologist should they need to at this stage in the process. I have made enquiries in the matter and it is my understanding that the school have consulted with their NEPS psychologist and interventions have been put in place.
If the parents of the child in question have specific concerns in relation to the effectiveness of the interventions already in place it is advised that they raise them, in the first instance, with the principal of the school concerned with a view to that principal discussing the appropriateness or otherwise of an educational assessment with the assigned NEPS psychologist or local service.
