Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 217: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the category and number of staff working within the National Educational Psychological Service; if additional psychologists committed to in Budget 2009 can be recruited in view of the moratorium on public sector recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20719/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Educational Psychological Service currently has a staffing complement of 34 administrative and 159 psychologist staff distributed over some 22 regional and local offices nationwide.

As I have previously informed the House I was pleased to announce, following the recent Budget, that I have provided an increase in the financial allocation to NEPS with a view to increasing the number of psychologists by some 50 posts. As the Deputy may be aware the moratorium referred to allows for exceptions and my Department is in communication with the Department of Finance in this regard.