Mr. Dalton Tattan:

I think it will bring the number to 238. This year we are increasing the number of NEPS psychologists by ten as part of the DEIS plan. These are psychologists who will be assigned specifically to DEIS schools. In addition, there are about 11 vacancies being filled. In total, therefore, by the beginning of the next school year in September, we expect to have an additional 21 educational psychologists in the system.

Recruitment has taken place for that through the Public Appointments Service. A panel is in place and they are now undergoing Garda vetting. We expect those psychologists to be in place over the summer. That is the situation on the supply question.

The Deputy is correct that in the past there was a right of appeal by a parent to the NCSE in a situation where there had not been an allocation to a child in respect of his or her special need in the low incidence category, such as autism - disabilities which were in the special education review committee report from the early 1990s - and where there was an allocation of a set number of hours in response to a particular disability category. What we will have is where schools are getting an allocation, it is based on a profile, and within that profile there will be an allocation for complex needs which is akin to what now describe as low incidence. Each school will have an allocation and it will be a matter for the school to deploy that allocation within the resource. If the school is unhappy with its allocation, it can lodge an appeal. There will be an independent appeals process in place for that.