Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not disagree with the model that is being used. The difficulty is that, in tandem with that model of supporting schools, in order for students to access additional support, they require a psychological assessment. To have just 31 additional front-line psychologists over the last four years, when 84% of primary school are stating there has been an increase in the number of pupils presenting with additional educational needs, is insufficient. It is the case that psychologists are appointed to schools but they are allocated specific hours in those schools. Medium size schools in particular, which are not in the small school category or the large school category, are squeezed.

To give an example of that, in one school where one educational assessment has been carried out, six pupils have had to go privately to get that assessment.

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