Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 161: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding a project (details supplied) in Dublin 3. [9835/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the centre in question is a privately run diagnostic, treatment and assessment facility. My Department is committed to the maintenance of a robust psychological service based on international practice.

My Department is currently continuing to develop and expand the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and resources allocated to my Department for psychological purposes are being invested for this purpose. Since May 2007 the number of psychologists employed within the NEPS service has increased from 128 to 138 and during 2008 this complement will increase to 169.

In this regard, following a national recruitment process put in place in late 2007 by the Public Appointments Service, interviews are currently being held to form regional panels from which appointments to priority regions. In line with Government commitments under the T2016 agreement, it is further my intention to increase NEPS psychologist personnel to 200 during 2009.