Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will provide a geographical breakdown of schools with access to National Educational Psychological Service across the country, on a city and county-wide basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31674/07]

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 the geographical breakdown of coverage will be forwarded to the Deputy.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the average number of schools to which individual National Educational Psychological Service psychologists are assigned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31675/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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While the number of schools allocated to NEPS psychologists varies according to school size, special needs pupil incidence, disadvantaged status and geographical spread the average number assigned per whole-time post is 21. It should be noted that half the primary schools in the country are quite small, with four teachers or less.