David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

This topic is most important. I hope the Minister will not be in denial of what it proposes, tell us that all is well and give us a litany of statistics of the hundreds of millions of euro that have been spent here, there and everywhere. That will not wash anymore.

It was stated by colleagues that early intervention is crucial. Issues such as ADD, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia, autism, Asperger's syndrome, depression or other mental health issues, family problems, abuse problems, drug and alcohol issues, behavioural problems, including bullying in the classroom on which we had a debate last year and about which teachers are concerned, demand the intervention of trained psychologists. Teachers cannot be expected to cope on their own, yet more than half our schools do not have the support of a psychological service. The Minister will say there is a system for commissioning psychologists. While that is all very fine, I put it her that system is for commissioning assessments. According to the NEPS website, its mission is to support the personal, social and educational development of all children through the application of psychological theory and practice in education, having particular regard for children with special educational needs. In other words, all schools in the State should have the support of a psychological service and not only an assessment service. NEPS website has links to information for parents, etc. but that is not enough. Every school should be visited by a trained psychologist a number of times a year not only to carry out assessments but to speak to and support staff, students and management in the work they do. Psychologists should not only take fire brigade action. That is important. Many colleagues will speak about the serious major issues in schools but we need to go beyond that. We need to examine the vital support that a properly resourced psychological service can provide to schools.

Another aspect of this issue, which does not come under the Minister's remit but comes under the Government's remit, is the adolescent and psychological service provided by the HSE. I was advised recently that in the HSE southern region children can wait up to two years for an assessment. Children are sent for assessment to the HSE and parents are told their children are on a routine waiting list. One young boy was diagnosed with ADHD a number of years ago. His GP said his behaviour is getting progressively worse. He is out of control, he rarely sleeps, he has no sense of danger and is quite violent towards his family. His tantrums have left his home in uproar and are having a serious impact on his schooling. His teacher is worried about his behaviour in the classroom and towards other children. His concentration is extremely poor and he needs constant attention in the classroom. He was placed on the HSE waiting list in May 2007. Despite the severe nature of his case I was advised by the HSE at the start of this month that, based on the information provided at referral stage, the boy was on a routine waiting list and this would only be reviewed if more information is provided. That is not good enough. A service should be available through the school system for that child and his family. His mother is at her wits' end and is finding it increasingly difficult to cope, yet according to the HSE's waiting time for assessment this boy may have to wait for a long time before he gets the treatment he urgently requires.

In May of this year I was advised by the HSE that there are 658 children awaiting assessment in Cork and an amazing 4,312 are awaiting speech therapy services. This should not be the position given that the Government has been in office for ten years and has had such funds at its disposal.

I want to bring another issue to the Minister's attention. When parents approach public representatives such as myself and other colleagues on all sides of the House to make representations to the NEPS on their behalf, those in NEPS are not allowed to talk to us. Officials in most other State agencies and bodies will talk to us. Even if we have a parent's written permission, those in NEPS advise me that they cannot talk to us because the Minister will not allow it. I ask the Minister to change this position. I tabled a parliamentary question on this issue and that is the response I was given. I ask the Minister to review this position. If a parent gives a public representative written permission to make representations to and secure information from NEPS——

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