David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 57: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if an evaluation or review of the National Educational Psychological Service has been undertaken or is planned; if so the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40178/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Ongoing evaluation is seen as an intrinsic aspect of a quality schools' psychological service. Within NEPS, the strategy for evaluation includes a number of elements including self-review by psychologists of their work using a range of instruments.

Business Planning process applies to NEPS as to all areas of the Department and at individual level the Performance Management and Development System is also embedded within the management practices of NEPS. This Government has prioritised the development of a high quality psychological service.

Since the establishment of NEPS, the number of psychologists in the service has increased from 43 to 127 at present (including 4 psychologists currently seconded to the National Behavioural Support Service). In the last recruitment round, regional panels were used to allow my Department give greater priority in filling vacancies to areas with the greatest need.

In addition to the 127 psychologists currently in NEPS, a further 6 are in the process of being recruited. On top of this, the 17% increase in funding for the service provided in the 2007 Estimates will allow some further expansion in the number of psychologists next year.

Given the very significant investment being provided for NEPS and the Government's plans to extend the service in 2007, we are naturally anxious to ensure that the service is working well.

A significant independent client/customer survey evaluation is planned for 2007, the results of which it is anticipated will be available next Autumn. The purpose of the school survey is to assess the attitude of school authorities to the service provided by NEPS. The principal variables to be assessed will include access to the service, partnership with service users and service delivery. Feedback form this survey will inform and enhance future service delivery.