Psychologists concerned over assessment fees

THE Government’s failure to raise the fees it pays for psychological assessments is making it harder for schools to access resources for pupils with special needs, it has been claimed.

Only half the country’s primary schools have direct access to the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), whose staff assess the requirements of children with learning difficulties or disabilities.

In response to criticism of this figure last week, the Department of Education said schools can access private assessments. But the fee for psychologists has not been increased since the scheme for commissioning private assessments was introduced five years ago.