Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 286: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of psychologists currently employed by the National Education Psychological Service; the cost of increasing the number to 200; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43017/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Since the establishment of the National Educational Psychological Service in 1999, the number of NEPS psychologists has increased from 43 to 127 at present (including 4 psychologists currently seconded to the National Behavioural Support Service).

The estimated cost of expanding the number of psychologists in the service to 200 would be in the region of €6m in a full year in terms of direct salary costs, not including the range of ancillary support costs relating to accommodation, training, administration, etc.

I can inform the Deputy that my Department's 2007 estimates provision for NEPS shows an increase of 17% which will allow some further expansion in the number of psychologists next year. The actual number of extra staff will be determined shortly.