Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 669: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress made in relation to the programme for Government proposal to prioritise early assessment and increase the number of educational psychologists in his Department's National Educational Psychological Service to 200 by 2009. [28718/08]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 720: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of psychologists recruited since January, 2007 to the National Educational Psychological Service; the number of psychologists expected to be recruited by the end of 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28968/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 669 and 720 together.

I can inform the Deputy that the number of psychologists as of January 2007 stood at 128, since that date an additional 15 individuals have been recruited to the service which when reduced by the effects of resignations/ retirements in the period results in a current staffing compliment of 137.

Following a national recruitment competition organised by the Public Appointments Service, a panel of suitable candidates has been has been formed. Currently some 33 panellists have been offered specific appointments within the NEPS regional structure, some 30 have accepted the post offered and of these 13 have passed through the requisite Garda vetting process and are finalising arrangements with my Department's Personnel Section.