Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 563: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of psychologists employed by National Educational Psychological Service; the number of psychologists appointed since October 2008 to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36713/09]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 564: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the 28 psychologists provided for in the renewed programme for Government are in addition to those who have been recruited since October 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36714/09]

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 565: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when the 28 additional National Educational Psychological Service psychologists provided for in the renewed programme for Government will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36715/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 563 to 565, inclusive, together.

I can inform the Deputy that my Department's National Educational Psychological Service currently employs 156 psychologists, of whom some 15 have been appointed since the 1 October, 2008. I can confirm that the 28 psychologists referred to in the Renewed Programme for Government are taken within the context of an overall expansion of NEPS psychologist numbers to 210 and are therefore additional to the current complement.

I can inform the Deputy that offers have been made to 13 candidates on an existing recruitment panel, that currently three have agreed start dates (all by 2 November), the remainder are the subject to the Garda vetting process and it is envisaged that they will be appointed by years' end. This panel is now exhausted.

Discussions are ongoing with the Public Appointments Service in relation to the setting in place of a new recruitment competition to establish a new panel from which the remaining vacancies may be filled. It is envisaged that this new competition will be held late in 2009 or early 2010. When formed, recruitment from this new panel will proceed as quickly as possible.