Ms Anne Tansey:

I am not sure that I heard the Deputy's question completely as the sound broke up a little. From what I heard, Deputy Conway-Walsh asked if all schools have access to NEPS and if there is an onus on a principal to refer a child to the service? All primary and post-primary schools have access to NEPS. What happens with regard to the individual supports is that NEPS supports teachers and school personnel through the provision of a consultation and advisory service to support children within their schools. If a continuum of support has been put in place and a student support plan is in place and the child is still presenting with needs, often times the school principal will prioritise that child for an individual case work service from NEPS. It is possible for a school principal to receive the support of NEPS in that instance.