Vol. 529 No. 4
246 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Education and Science if NEPS have now appointed educational psychologists to cover the remainder of the primary schools in north County Kildare; if not, when the appointments will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3089/01]
Since the beginning of September 2000, 29 additional psychologists have been appointed to the National Educational Psychological Service Agency, NEPS. They are now being allocated lists of schools. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to assign one of these psychologists to north Kildare. However, a further 21 psychologists are due to be appointed in the next few months from the current panel and it is intended to hold a further competition for recruitment to NEPS later in the year.
The overall allocation of psychologists to the regions is largely based on the projected student numbers in each school. Each cohort of newly recruited psychologists is being shared among all regions on a pro rata basis, until each region has reached its staffing quota. The management team of NEPS is currently preparing a detailed plan up to the end of 2003, so that schools will know when they are likely to be included in the service.
