Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 415: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of psychologists employed by the National Educational Psychological Service. [35104/07]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 416: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the whole time equivalent number of psychologists employed by the National Educational Psychological Service; the number of NEPS psychologists on a form of approved leave of absence currently; the number of those who have their leave covered by a substitute, replacement or locum psychologist; if comparative figures in each of the past five years are available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35105/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 415 and 416 together.

The number of psychologists employed by the National Educational Psychological Service currently stands at 138 including three psychologists seconded to the National Behavioural Support Service and one to the Further Education Section. An additional psychologist (not counted above) is currently on a career break.

The 138 psychologists currently employed equate with a whole-time equivalent of 126.7 taking into account work-sharing arrangements availed of by staff. Comparative whole-time equivalent figures in this regard are as follows: 2006 — 117.8, 2005 — 114, 2004 — 122.9 and 2003 — 120.9.

Ordinarily NEPS psychologists are assigned to schools at the beginning of each academic year according to the known availability of staff numbers in this regard for the period concerned. All schools not so assigned are allowed access to the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA) and have assessments carried out by a member of the panel of private psychologists approved by and paid for by NEPS. Additionally during the year schools which lose the services of the NEPS psychologist due to unforeseen circumstances (sickness, resignation, maternity leave) will also be granted access to the SCPA for the period of this disruption. Conversely any new psychologists recruited during the year will, following an induction period, be assigned schools previously having access to the SCPA.

The Deputy will be aware that it is my intention to expand NEP psychologist numbers to some 169 during 2008.