Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

First, I thank my colleague, Deputy Thomas Byrne, for his work on ensuring fair treatment for all children is the primary focus of Fianna Fáil's work in education. The National Educational Psychological Service provides a vital service by professionally assessing whether additional learning supports should be provided in schools to children in need of them. For parents and teachers who wish to access additional teaching resources for these children, the students must first be assessed by a psychologist. This is a vulnerable and stressful time for these parents, their children and the teachers in the school. The least a Government should do is ensure that this service is provided to all schools.

I was shocked and angered when Deputy Thomas Byrne confirmed to me that 14 schools in Wicklow have no access to NEPS. Four primary schools in Arklow, three primary schools in Greystones and national schools in Wicklow town, Baltinglass, Donard, Enniskerry, Stratford-on-Slaney and Rathangan and a post-primary school in Bray have no access to an assigned NEPS psychologist in 2017. Parents in these schools have no option but to get a private consultation to justify getting the additional resources that their child needs. This can cost more than €1,000, which is beyond the reach of many families in these Wicklow schools. The children of parents who cannot afford this sum of money will not be assessed and therefore will have no access to the learning supports they need to reach their full potential. It appears that under the Government, some children can be left behind.

I accept that the Minister is working on this, but tonight he must state to all those schools, parents and, most importantly, children that every child will have access to NEPS, regardless of where they go to school. What happened to equal access to education for all children? This is a scandal and it must be rectified now.

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