349 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children if psychological assessments will be provided for primary school children who are on long term waiting lists, under the National Treatment Purchase Fund (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12890/07]

Psychological assessments for educational purposes is the responsibility of the Department of Education and Science and the National Educational Psychological Service.

The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) was established to expedite the provision of treatment for patients on public hospital waiting lists who have been waiting longest for surgery. I have no plans to expand the remit of the NTPF to the type of treatment referred to by the Deputy.