Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 67: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of post-primary schools in Limerick covered by the National Educational Psychological Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19856/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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All primary and post primary schools in Limerick have access to psychological assessments either directly through my Department's National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) or through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA) that is administered by NEPS and full details of which are available on my Department's website.

There are 37 post primary schools located in Limerick City and County. According to the most up to date information, 11 of those have a dedicated service from NEPS.

The number of psychologists in NEPS has increased from 43 on establishment to 122 at present. The Public Appointments Service recently concluded a new recruitment competition for the appointment of Educational Psychologists to NEPS and Regional panels have been established to allow my Department give greater priority in filling vacancies to areas with the greatest need. My Department is currently in the process of recruiting a further 9 psychologists, 4 of whom are a priority for the Mid-West Region. This process, when complete, will increase the number of schools in the Mid West served directly by NEPS, though again I stress that all schools not currently served by NEPS can avail of the private scheme.