Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 563: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the financial resources and numbers of staff allocated to both the National Education Welfare Board and the National Educational Psychological Service; his plans to meet the increased financial and staff obligations contained in Towards 2016 for both of these agencies; if he will fulfil these obligations in budget 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31892/08]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Education (Welfare) Act, 2000 established the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) as the national body with responsibility for school attendance. The Act provides a comprehensive framework, promoting regular school attendance and tackling the problems of absenteeism and early school leaving. The general functions of the Board are to ensure that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education. The authorised staffing complement of the Board is 109 of which 104 posts are currently filled and the financial allocation for 2008 is €10.085 million. The National Educational Psychological Service, (NEPS) is a service of the Department of Education and Science. NEPS psychologists work with both primary and post-primary schools and they are concerned with learning, behaviour, social and emotional development.

A budget of €17.9m has been provided to the National Educational Psychological Service for 2008. Under the commitments in the Programme for Government the DES National Educational Psychological Service has increased the number of psychologists operating in first and second level schools from 128 in 2007 to a current level of 151. Offers of employment have been made to, and are being currently processed on behalf of, an additional 14 individuals most of whom, it is envisaged will take up employment in the service by the end of 2008. Provision of resources for the NEWB and NEPs for 2009 will be considered in the context of the finalisation of my Department's 2009 Estimates.