Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 167: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his proposals to meet psychological needs and assessments as identified by the various school authorities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19503/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I can inform the Deputy that all primary and post primary schools have access to psychological assessments either directly through my Department's National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) or through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA) which is administered by NEPS.

In common with other psychological services NEPS encourages a staged assessment process whereby each school takes responsibility for the child's/pupil's 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.

The introduction of the General Allocation model for primary schools in 2005/06 means that children with high incidence special needs now longer have to wait for an individual assessment before they can get access to extra support.

Children who manifest very special or urgent needs in school and who have not been previously assessed by a psychologist and are brought to the attention of a NEPS psychologist by the Principal teacher will usually be assessed by the psychologist within that school term. Normally, principals of schools prioritise those children in need of psychological assessment in consultation with the assigned psychologist.

In the case of schools that do not currently have dedicated NEPS psychologists assigned to them, as I already mentioned, such schools have access to psychological assessments through the SCPA. Under this Scheme, schools can commission assessments from a member of the panel of private practitioners approved by NEPS, and NEPS will pay the fees directly to the psychologist concerned.

Should school authorities have specific difficulties with regard any of the foregoing I would suggest that they should contact the relevant local NEPS Regional Director, for whom contact details are also available on my Department's website.

I can inform the Deputy that there are currently 158 psychologists employed in my Department's NEPS service which represents an increase of some 20 posts on last years numbers.

I am satisfied that these processes adequately answer the underlying need of children within our education system. However in regard to further improving the service to schools I was pleased to announce recently, in the context of Budget 2009, an increase in the funding available to NEPS which will allow for an expansion of up to 50 additional psychologists. Recruitment of these psychologists is currently underway from an existing panel of qualified Personnel and upon its depletion discussions will commence between my Department and the Public Appointments Service in relation to the establishment of a new panel in this regard.

The number envisaged represent an increase on the numbers provided for under the T2016 Agreement and will, upon realisation, enable the expansion of the NEPS service to all schools in the country.