Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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608. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to educational psychologist trainees, if her attention has been drawn to concerns raised by students in relation to the working group which does not include any course co-ordinators from either Mary Immaculate College or UCD or persons from the Department of Health; if she will ensure the working group is broadened to include these representatives; and if she will ensure that there is consideration of financial support needed as well as a contribution to fees. [55303/22]

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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625. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will clarify her views, further to a Dáil Éireann contribution in which she stated that her Department will use available NEPS funding to sponsor educational psychologists; if she will clarify the definition of a sponsor; the number of places that will receive such funding; if there are plans to make this funding long-term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55576/22]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 608 and 625 together.

The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) of my Department provides a school-based psychological service to all recognised primary and post-primary schools through the application of psychological theory and practice to support the wellbeing, and the academic, social and emotional development of all learners.

The NEPS service provides access for all schools to:

- Psychological support in the event of a Critical Incident

- A Casework Service for individual children where there is a need for intensive consultation and assessment

- A school staff Support and Development Service, to build school capability to provide a comprehensive continuum of support in schools and

- Ongoing access to advice and support for schools.

This overall approach allows psychologists to give early attention to urgent individual cases and, through supporting school staff, to benefit many more children than could be seen individually.

A working group in the Department has been examining the matter of how the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) can continue to recruit adequate numbers of suitably qualified staff and continue to respond to the educational psychological needs of children in recognised primary and post-primary schools across the country.

The group has agreed on a number of actions that must be taken to address supply issues in the medium to long term. These include the development of a workforce plan for educational psychologists within the Department of Education and work has begun with other Government Departments to advance this. I am aware of concerns that have been raised by students in relation to this work. To note that officials in my Department liaise regularly with the Department of Health, and with Mary Immaculate College and University College Dublin, and, as this work progresses, will continue to do so and to consult with other stakeholders as appropriate.

A number of options were considered to address some immediate supply issues. Following analysis of these, it was decided that the Department would use some available NEPS funding to sponsor a cohort of third year students of the Educational Psychology Doctoral programme in University College Dublin (UCD) and Mary Immaculate College (MIC) University of Limerick, for the academic year 2022/23 to provide support via a contribution towards their fees and associated expenses. The workforce planning group referred to above will be asked to make some interim recommendations in Q2 of next year regarding any other short-term measures required in advance of their final report. It is envisaged that funding supports for students on the educational psychological doctorate programme will be considered as part of this process.