Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1189: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to prioritise early assessment and increase the number of educational psychologists in his Department's National Educational Psychological Service to 200 by 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29447/09]

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

As the Deputy is aware, in regard to further improving the service to schools, I was pleased to announce recently, an increase in the funding available to NEPS which will allow for the recruitment of additional psychologists. Recruitment of these psychologists is currently underway from an existing panel of qualified personnel and upon its depletion discussions will commence between my Department and the Public Appointments Service in relation to the establishment of a new panel in this regard.