Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests for joining us today and sharing their presentations. My first question relates to NEPS. I welcome that there has been a recent increase in NEPS psychologists. However, I am aware from a reply I received to a parliamentary question some months ago that the number of whole-time equivalent NEPS psychologists currently stands at 221, including an extra 17 who have been allocated to well-being in our schools. We know that only 205 of those posts have been filled. Could I get an update on the outstanding 16 posts and what is happening there? Are there barriers to the recruitment of NEPS psychologists and, if there are, will our guests identify them? Are pay and conditions barriers? Is there a lack of available candidates? What are the barriers? There appears to be a shortage of NEPS psychologists. I have raised this issue time and again since my first election in 2016. I was acutely aware of the shortage of NEPS psychologists in schools where I worked. I would like an update on that and on what can be done around recruitment to attract more people into psychology because we have a need for that.

I welcome the extra €2 billion for additional supports for children with special needs. I also acknowledge that the budget last October identified that additional teachers and school staff would be provided, particularly in the area of special educational needs. That budget was presented on 3 October and we are now in an entirely different situation. Many schools and principals are identifying the lack of engagement among students as being an issue of concern, in addition to educational disadvantage. Will any other provisions be made? Do our guests feel that the measures and resources identified and allowed for in the most recent budget are already inadequate when compared with the increased demand for pupil assistance?

I would like an answer to this given the situation in which we find ourselves.

The issue of reduced timetables, which was referred by a previous speaker, is a very serious one that was highlighted by this committee, which produced a report on it. The fact that 12% of children only received one hour per day is very concerning. The witnesses mentioned that data collection has been put in place but have any other resources been put in place by the Department to assist schools on this matter? I would like a specific answer to the question of resources. The witnesses spoke about data collection but is there anything else available?

My third point encompasses an issue raised by many people this morning, namely, the delays relating to school buildings. I have raised the case of Gaelscoil na Laochra, a school that needs to transfer to a permanent premises in Birr, County Offaly, with the Department. There are children with special needs in that school who are in an entirely inadequate premises in Sandymount Haven, Birr. The school is to move to a premises that is partially occupied by HSE mental health services but there has been delay after delay. It has been going on for at least four years. I am very concerned for all the children but particularly those with special educational needs along with the fact that the school's potential is being hampered. The lack of adequate space during a pandemic is unacceptable. The school is in a building in Sandymount Haven that is inadequate and there is a lack of space, including in the school yard. I would like a direct update because I have raised this issue a number of times but I cannot get direct answers. There does not seem to be enough engagement between the Department of Education and the HSE on this matter. I would call for that. If another section of the Department deals specifically with this, I would welcome a written answer on it and something positive that shows that steps are being taken to remedy this situation.