Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of clinical psychologists available to schools in County Kerry. [30520/07]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will provide an undertaking to increase the number of clinical psychologists available to County Kerry schools. [30521/07]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of children currently awaiting being seen by a clinical psychologist; and the average waiting time. [30523/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 to 179, inclusive, together.

Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement including that of Clinical Psychologists. In that regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. The Executive is the appropriate body to consider the matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

I would point out that my colleague the Minister for Education and Science provides, through the National Education Psychological Service, a psychological service to schools.