Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2025
499. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children referred for a NEPS assessment who are currently enrolled in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48235/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra500. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children referred for a NEPS assessment who are currently enrolled in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48236/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra501. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children referred for a NEPS assessment who are currently enrolled in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48237/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra502. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth if every primary school in the Dublin Fingal west constituency has access to an educational psychologist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48238/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra503. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth if every post primary school in the Dublin Fingal west constituency has access to an educational psychologist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48239/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra504. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children referred for a NEPS assessment who are currently enrolled in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48240/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra505. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children have been referred for a NEPS assessment who are currently enrolled in a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48241/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra510. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children that have been referred for a NEPS assessment who are currently enrolled in primary schools in an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48250/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra511. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children that have been referred for a NEPS assessment who are currently enrolled in primary schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48251/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra512. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children that have been referred for a NEPS assessment who are currently enrolled in primary schools in an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48252/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 499, 500, 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 510, 511 and 512 together.
I thank the Deputy for his query in relation to my Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS). NEPS provides psychological support to all primary, post-primary, and special schools. Currently there are 234 whole time equivalent educational psychologists employed in NEPS which is the highest number employed since the establishment of NEPS.
All schools have access to:
• a NEPS psychologist for general support and advice.
• support from a NEPS psychologist in the event of a Critical Incident.
• National and Regional Support and Development service for school staff, which is advertised through the Education Support Centres of Ireland and covers areas such as trauma informed practice, cluster group support for post-primary special education teachers and special class teachers, training for Student Support Teams and supporting reluctant school attendance/school avoidance behaviour.
• access to either a NEPS psychologist or a SCPA psychologist for individual pupil casework where a priority need is established. SCPA – the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments - is operated through the use of a panel of psychologists who must meet qualification criteria set by the Department. It is an interim measure intended to supplement the NEPS service and meet current urgent needs for psychological assessment of children and young people.
All of the schools referred to by the Deputy are in the Fingal Local Authority area of NEPS Region 2. There are 11.6 WTE educational psychologists assigned to this local authority area overall. A recent recruitment competition run by the Public Appointments Service is expected to yield a further two psychologists to serve this local authority area in the coming months. NEPS does not operate waiting lists. In common with other psychological services and best international practice, NEPS operates on a consultative model of service. NEPS psychologists work with schools using a problem-solving model to help schools identify need and interventions to support those needs. Under this model, NEPS encourages schools to use a continuum-based assessment and intervention process whereby each school takes responsibility for initial assessment, educational planning and remedial intervention for pupils with learning, emotional or behavioural difficulties. This model means children do not require a psychological assessment or a diagnosis in order to access special education teaching support in school. Schools decide in consultation with the psychologist how they would like to use the service on an annual basis and the prioritisation of pupils to be referred to NEPS is part of this process.
