Vol. 574 No. 2
277 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Science the extent to which he intends to increase, improve or expand psychological services to the various primary and second level schools throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26879/03]
Since the establishment of the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, in September 1999, the number of psychologists assigned to the agency has tripled, rising to 127 psychologists at present. The Government's decision to establish NEPS included the specification that there would ultimately be 184 psychologists in NEPS in addition to approximately 16 psychologists employed elsewhere in the educational system. I intend to recruit additional psychologists to make up the shortfall, as resources permit, and bearing in mind the general staffing constraints that exist at present.
