Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 504: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of primary schools covered by the National Educational Psychological Service on a county basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30800/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware that during 2007 the number of NEPS psychologists has increased from a total of 128 in April to a current level of 134. In all 9 psychologists have been recruited in this period but due to the normal effect of resignations and retirement the net increase is 6.

Six psychologists have been recruited since September and these undergo an induction and work shadowing process before being assigned a full quota of schools. The full effect of this intake which will not therefore become apparent in coverage terms for a number of weeks/months. In addition my Department has recently contracted a further 5 psychologists with 4 due to take up duty later in November / December this year. A further psychologist will take up duty in early January 2008.

The majority of these new recruits have been sited in the three NEPS Dublin regions and will during the current academic year be reflected in additional schools being afforded coverage by NEPS psychologists in the short and medium term. NEPS would intend to assess the effect of this expansion in January 2008 at the end of the first term of the current academic year at which stage a county by county breakdown will be forwarded to the Deputy.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 505: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the discussions that have taken place between her Department and St. Vincent de Paul, following a meeting that was arranged to discuss the provision of funds by St. Vincent de Paul for psychological assessments; the conclusions in respect of this meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30801/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I can inform the Deputy that two meetings have taken place between officials of my Department and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul since last April in connection with the matter of that body providing funding to parents and schools in regard to psychological assessment of school children. My Department is most concerned at any inference that such assessments are required in order to access educational resources for the children concerned in the light of the advent of the General Allocation Model, which has reduced the number of assessments necessary in this regard, and the fact that some 10,000 assessments have been conducted or funded by NEPS in the 06/07 academic year. Through the aforementioned meetings that has taken place between NEPS and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in recent months, a greater understanding of the overall context in which the psychological service is provided to schools exists and a process has been agreed between the two bodies to record and monitor demand.