Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 272: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when a person (details supplied) in County Dublin will obtain a psychological assessment, as this child has some behavioural issues which need to be assessed and the mother of this child is not in a position to provide a private assessment; the expected timeframe involved for an assessment in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45800/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I can inform the Deputy that NEPS, in common with many other psychological services and best international practice, encourages a staged assessment process, whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention, in consultation with their assigned NEPS psychologist. Only if there is a failure to make reasonable progress in spite of the school's best efforts, will a child be referred for individual psychological assessment. This system allows the psychologists to give early attention to urgent cases and also to help many more children indirectly than could be seen individually. It also ensures that children are not referred unnecessarily for psychological intervention.

Might I suggest that the Deputy advise the parent(s) of the child in question to raise the issue with the school principal who may then consult the assigned NEPS psychologist with a view to pursuing the matter further. I am aware that the psychologist in question will be visiting the school shortly after the Christmas break.