Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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542. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there is a limit on the number of educational assessments made available to students in schools on an annual basis; and if so, the way in which the assessments are allocated. [54423/22]

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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543. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her Department has plans to increase the provision of educational assessments for students, in order to ensure that there are assessments available to all who require one. [54424/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 542 and 543 together.

The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) of my Department provides a school-based psychological service to all recognised primary and post-primary schools through the application of psychological theory and practice to support the well-being, and the academic, social and emotional development of all learners.

The NEPS service provides access for all schools to:

- Psychological support in the event of a Critical Incident

- A Casework Service for individual children where there is a need for intensive consultation and assessment via a NEPS psychologist or through the Scheme for the Commissioning of Psychological Assessments (SCPA).

- A school staff Support and Development Service, to build school capability to provide a comprehensive continuum of support in schools and

- Ongoing access to advice and support for schools.

NEPS, in common with many other psychological services and best international practice, has adopted a consultative model of service. The focus is on empowering teachers to intervene effectively with pupils whose needs range from mild to severe and transient to enduring. Psychologists use a problem solving and solution oriented consultative approach to maximise positive outcomes for these pupils. NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and intervention for pupils with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. Teachers may consult their NEPS psychologist should they need to at this stage in the process. Where reasonable progress is not made, following a school's best efforts in consultation with NEPS, a psychologist will become involved with an individual child for intensive intervention or assessment.

This overall approach allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent individual cases and, through supporting school staff, to benefit many more children than could be seen individually.

In 2021 the NEPS casework service extended to over 8,500 students. Additionally, under the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA) process, private psychologists provided assessment to schools for over 900 students. Furthermore, the NEPS Support and Development service reaches an estimated 25,000 teachers annually.

Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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544. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if her attention has been drawn to the increased use of electronic cigarette products among children, particularly those of secondary school age, and the prevalence of these products in schools around the country; and if her Department intends to address the issue. [54425/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Department of Education does not have responsibility for the licensing or sale of electronic tobacco products.

Schools have a role to play in supporting their students to develop the key skills and knowledge to enable them to make informed choices when faced with a range of difficult issues, including drugs, alcohol and gambling. This is mainly done through the Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) programme, which has a specific module on the use and misuse of a range of substances.

SPHE is mandatory in all primary schools as well as in junior cycle. It also forms part of the new mandatory ‘Well-being’ component of junior cycle. Schools are also encouraged to deliver the new SPHE programme in the senior cycle.

The SPHE course covers student decision-making skills and safety and protection. Students learn how to exercise judgement, weigh up different possibilities, examine the steps and choices that guide them towards considered decision-making, begin to understand their own rights and the rights of others, and explore decision-making. In respect of safety, students’ ability to assess the consequences of risky behaviour is developed.

The SPHE curriculum is currently being redeveloped at all stages. Further details, including details relating to consultation processes, are available on NCCA.ie.