David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount expended on the scheme for commissioning psychological assessments in 2010 and 2011; the number of assessments carried out under this scheme; the average cost of each assessment; the amount that he expects to expend on this scheme in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3264/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As the Deputy will be aware all primary and post-primary schools have access to psychological assessments either directly through the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) or through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA). Schools that do not currently have NEPS psychologists assigned to them may avail of the SCPA, whereby the school can have an assessment carried out by a member of the panel of private psychologists approved by NEPS, and NEPS will pay the psychologist the fees for this assessment directly.

The SCPA operates on a fixed-fee basis with €304 being payable in respect of each assessment successfully completed and certified by the school Principal concerned. In this regard in 2010 €0.856m was expended delivering some 2,818 assessments, in 2011 the expenditure amounted to €0.746 for 2,455 assessments.

Expenditure for the current year is dependent on a number of variables including increases in school enrolment and the timing and pace of recruitment and assignment of newly recruited psychologists replacing staffing lost in 2011/12 due to retirement or resignation. It is estimated that, subject to Department of Public Expenditure & Reform sanction, expenditure will be in the region of €0.65m in respect of some 2,100 assessments.