Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

There were a number of difficulties relating to the implementation of the special education needs programme over the summer and with the flow of information to teachers. These difficulties have largely been dealt with now, but it is important that systems are put in place to ensure that such problems do not recur.

In terms of the special education system overall, does the Minister intend to ensure that the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, reaches its intended complement and how does she intend to ensure that every child who needs an assessment from NEPS receives one? The waiting lists are quite severe and schools in some areas are not covered by NEPS at all. How does the Minister intend to tackle that issue, to ensure that children are assessed?

I am aware that the system has changed recently and that not all children necessarily need a report now. However, there are still many children who will need a report. Parents go to private psychologists because they cannot get their child assessed by a NEPS psychologist and while they are entitled to do that not every parent can afford a private assessment. Some parents do not fall under the NEPS system because of where their child is located. How does the Minister intend to address this issue?

There are also some children experiencing difficulties despite the fact that they have a report stating that they have a special education need. They are not receiving the service they need under the new system. Will the Minister provide us with figures on the number of parents who have contacted the National Council for Special Education because they are dissatisfied with the fact that their children are not getting the service that expert psychologists have stated they need?

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