Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 265: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his plans to meet requirements as set out in respect of psychological assessment or assistance at all primary and second level schools throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14660/04]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is committed to providing a full educational psychological service to all schools. The National Educational Psychological Service has been expanding gradually on a national basis over the past few years in accordance with the Government's decision of February 1999.

I am aware that, during this development phase of NEPS, some schools have experienced difficulties in accessing psychological assessments. I have therefore provided funding so that those schools that do not yet have direct access to the NEPS service can avail of the scheme for commissioning psychological assessments, SCPA, which NEPS administers, pending the full expansion of the NEPS service to all schools. This is an interim arrangement and is not a substitute for a full educational psychological service. NEPS has circulated details of SCPA to all schools and full information is also available on my Department's website.