Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding an assessment in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [58151/12]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a psyhological assessment in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [1855/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take qQestions Nos. 263 and 346 together.

My Department's National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) operates an early intervention continuum of assessment in schools for students with the broad range of special educational needs. The continuum of assessment allows for the identification of pupils with special educational needs, their nature and severity by harnessing the experience of class teachers and support teachers, in consultation with parents, and with the support of the psychologist. It also provides for the development of immediate responses and interventions designed to ameliorate the particular needs identified at the appropriate level, either in the classroom or with the assistance of the support teacher. This allows for a response to be put in place at the earliest possible juncture for students before their difficulties can become intractable. Assessment of needs at this stage of the continuum involves information gathering, testing and observation by the various school personnel involved and support from the NEPS psychologist, as required.

Where the pupil does not make adequate progress following the interventions, or where the nature of the child's special educational needs are significant, severe and complex, the school may agree with the psychologist that a psycho-educational assessment be conducted to identify the specific nature of the needs and the appropriate response necessary. Students, so identified, are scheduled for assessment within that school year.

I can inform the Deputy that the student in question was not raised by school authorities with the assigned NEPS psychologist for any form of direct intervention. However contact was made with the school immediately before Christmas and a meeting took place on Friday, 11 January last at which, inter alia, his situation was discussed. I am informed that the school is now putting in place the appropriate arrangements which will lead to a meeting between the NEPS psychologist and the student in the near future.