Access strain for disabled students

Teachers are being drafted in to fill staff shortages in the National Educational Psychological Service that are leaving pupils with disabilities unable to get access to extra help in schools.

Although a recruitment campaign should bring psychologist numbers in the service up to a target of 173, many of the 168 employed by the service are on maternity and sick leave, said Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan.

“We have seconded a number of teachers to the National Educational Psychological Service recently to cover maternity leave absences,” she said. “These teachers have the necessary qualifications and expertise to deliver the service. Obviously, they are teachers rather than psychologists, but we are doing something to fill that gap.”