A total of 24 schools across Laois do not currently have access for to a National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) psychologist.
The figure was confirmed following a Dáil Question tabled by Sinn Féin by the Education Minister
“1 in 6 primary schools across the State have no access to a NEPS psychologist and this is totally unacceptable. Often an assessment by the NEPS psychologist is the first stage to a child accessing a range of other services, interventions and supports, without which they may not be able to achieve their educational potential,” Deputy Brian Stanley said.
“The educational assessment is the gateway through which children must pass to access further educational and social supports so any delay in this assessment is intolerable for these kids and their families and causes much unnecessary stress and worry. In addition any delay in assessments may have an impact on the child’s teacher and the other children in the class,” he said.
In reply to his Dáil Question last October about psychology services in the county, Deputy Stanley was informed that the waiting times for psychological services with the School Age Team in Laois is 42 months and with the Early Intervention Team for pre-school children it is 18 months.
“This neglect of children who need additional supports and services is not acceptable and I am demanding that the required resources are provided for children in Laois immediately. The long term effects of this situation will result in delayed development of the children affected and huge additional costs to the State in the long run,” he said.
