Educational psychology service
O’Shea asked whether the proposed school psychological assessment service would be run by Education or Health, citing limited health-board provision. The Minister acknowledged the concern and stressed professional monitoring and evaluation.
With regard to the school psychological assessment, will the psychological service be an in-house service of the Department of Education or will it come from the Department of Health? I think it is very important that the Department of Education provide the professional psychological assessment because there is virtually nothing available from health boards because of the cut-backs.
Comment on this
I am aware of the problem to which the Deputy referred. The educational psychologists and the psychological society, with whom I have been meeting, have been telling me that. I am very anxious that the psychological service would be properly monitored and evaluated in a professional way. I take note of the danger that the Deputy has mentioned.