Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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399. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of unpaid primary school psychologists in employment; the policy in relation to recruiting unpaid positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13883/19]

Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael)
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The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides psychological services to primary and post primary schools. Educational Psychologists are recruited through open competitions conducted by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) who in turn nominate successful candidates to my Department for appointment.

The educational psychologists concerned are paid a salary and their employment conditions are set out in a contract of employment. My Department does not recruit psychologists for unpaid positions or engage psychologists to work pro bono. NEPS annually facilitates placements for students undertaking a Doctorate Programme in Educational Psychology, as a core requirement of their course of academic study during which time they are under the supervision of NEPS psychologists. In such cases there is no employer/employee relationship and as such no remuneration is involved.