Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 139: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of NEPS psychologists employed by the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5571/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The number of national educational psychological service, NEPS, psychologists has increased almost three-fold, from 43 on establishment to 121 at present. The Public Appointments Service has recently established new recruitment panels for NEPS. Regional panels are now in place and my Department is currently in the process of appointing nine psychologists, with a further psychologist returning from career break.

Priority will be given to filling vacancies in areas of greatest need. Any increase in the number of psychologists in NEPS will depend on the availability of resources and must also take account of Government policy on public sector numbers.