Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Since January of 2023, NEPS is supporting bursaries for students who are enrolled in the University College Dublin (UCD) Professional Doctorate in Educational Psychology and the Mary Immaculate College (MIC), Limerick’s Professional Doctorate in Educational and Child Psychology for Trainee Educational Psychologists. Those in receipt of a bursary commit to joining NEPS upon graduation.

As of February 2024 there are 15 graduates in 2023 who have received a bursary and a further 45 Trainee Educational Psychologists currently in receipt of a bursary who are expected will fill a vacancy in NEPS upon graduation, over the next three years.

The current funding supports available under the scheme while training to become an educational psychologist come to a maximum sum of €40,000 per each of the three academic years of study and cover:

-tuition fees

-annual maintenance/living expenses

The HSE also employs Educational Psychologists. Some HSE CHOs have introduced a funded model for Trainee Educational Psychologists (TEPS) that comprises a temporary employment contract for the duration of their professional training programme. It is understood that the Department model provides a commensurate level of financial support to that available through the HSE.

Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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291. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she is considering giving incremental credit to teachers who have worked abroad for a number of years and have now returned to work in Ireland (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6258/24]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As referenced in Question No. 195 of 7 January 2024, the criteria for the award of incremental credit are set out in the Department’s Circulars 10/2001 for Primary teachers, 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post-Primary teachers. The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC).

These circulars provide for the award of incremental credit in respect of overseas teaching service, both within and without the EU. Where a school satisfies the criteria set out in the circulars to have service at that school recognised for incremental credit, an award of incremental credit can be made.

An application for incremental credit was received by my Department from the person named. My Department has recently completed the processing of this application and a decision letter has issued to the person named from my Department advising of the outcome of their application.