Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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83. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of vacancies at graduate level in the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49673/22]

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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143. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of educational and child psychologists currently working in NEPS; the number of vacancies for positions in the organisation; if consideration has been given by her Department to funding trainee educational and child psychologists during their unpaid placements in order to ensure these positions are filled and the required number of graduates are attained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49972/22]

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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My question concerns NEPS, which I have asked the Minister about on several occasions over the past few weeks. How many vacancies are there currently in NEPS at graduate level?

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 83 and 143 together.

I do not have the full reply as I did not think we would get to these questions. I apologise to the Deputy for that and will provide her with the updated data. I take the opportunity to say the work NEPS does is absolutely invaluable, as the Deputy will appreciate. We have increased the number of staff in the service in recent years, including provision in the recent budget for the recruitment of an additional 54 psychologists. That recruitment process will begin in November. Even as late as the past few days and weeks, we have seen the importance of the work NEPS does locally and its value to schools.

I will ensure the Deputy gets the specific data she has requested. I can give the positive message that we are consistently increasing the number of NEPS psychologists in post locally. I welcome the provision in the budget for an additional 54 to be provided. In recognition of the importance of their work, that recruitment process will begin as a matter of priority and it is my expectation it will happen next month, with a view to continuing to maximise the provision. Over the past two years, we have looked at consistently increasing the numbers. An additional 54 psychologists this year is what is provided for in the budget and recruitment will begin in the coming weeks. I will ensure the Deputy gets the outstanding data she is seeking.

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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That would be great. The specific question I had relates to an issue that has been brought to my attention in my office, namely, that budget 2023 resulted in educational psychologist trainees being the only cohort of trainee psychologists who are not funded. They pay more than €30,000 in fees, leaving them financially burdened and feeling almost disregarded by the Minister's Department, albeit she is aware of the significance and value of the work of educational psychologists in the school context. Will she give consideration to funding this programme either in full or part, with a view to students giving State agencies such as NEPS three years' service when they graduate?

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciate having the opportunity to confirm the Department has set up a high-level working group on this issue chaired by the Secretary General, which is a testament to the importance we are placing on how we advance the service provided by NEPS. The working group has agreed on a number of actions that will be taken. Following analysis of the various options that were laid out by the group, it has been decided the Department will use some available NEPS funding to sponsor a cohort of third-year students of the educational psychology doctoral programme in University College Dublin, UCD, and Mary Immaculate College, which is linked to the University of Limerick, for the academic year 2022-23 by providing a contribution towards their fees and associated expenses.

The workforce planning group that I referenced previously, under the Secretary General, will be asked to make some interim recommendations in quarter 2 of next year regarding any other short-term measures required in advance of the final report. I want to acknowledge that we are making considerable progress in this area. I think that is a positive announcement.

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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I would agree. I do not want to follow up with any further questions. I just want to read some of the words from one of the many representations that I have received. It states: "Why fund us? Because we deserve equality. We are not funded and therefore financially burdened, carrying up to €30,000 in debt before we even start our careers. We work unpaid for children and families facing significant difficulties in relation to mental health, disabilities and education from birth to adulthood. There is precedent now, and we need our voices heard."

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I do not disagree with the value and importance of the work, as I have said. I think it is a positive that we can say that the high level working group, which is chaired by the Secretary General, underlining the importance that we in the Department place upon it, is looking at a whole variety of opportunities going forward. Among those is the decision that has been taken to sponsor a cohort of third year students for the 2022-2023 academic year by providing a contribution to their fees and associated expenses. Given the particular time pressures for students in the third year of the programme, interviews will be held in the coming months to provide financial support to those students currently on training placements in NEPS who are due to complete their doctoral training programme in 2023. Details will be announced in the coming weeks.