Vol. 536 No. 1
180 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that St. Finian's national school, Dillonstown, Dunleer, County Louth, has been advised that there will be no education psychology services available for that school for at least two or three years; if he will review this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13398/01]
The new NEPS agency came into existence on 1 September 1999 with the 42 psychologists already employed in the service. The recruitment of additional psychologists involved the organisation of a competition through the Civil Service and Local Appointments Commission. Notwithstanding the time consuming nature of such competitions there are now 82 psychologists in NEPS and by the end of this school year there will be 100 psychologists in the service. I also intend to proceed with the recruitment of a further 28 psychologists before the end of this calendar year. This will raise the staffing to 128 and greatly improve the service.
Expansion of the NEPS service in County Louth has already begun with the assignment of psychologists to serve schools in the Drogheda and Dundalk areas. Another psychologist is expected to join the team serving Louth within the next few months. When this happens, schools in the area between Drogheda and Dundalk will be included.
