Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
491. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of educational psychologists currently working in NEPS; and the estimated cost of providing an additional ten educational psychologists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45662/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) provides educational psychological support to all primary and post-primary schools. This involves direct support in the event of a critical incident, access to national and regional support and development work to build school capacity to support students, access to a NEPS psychologist for responses to queries arising, and access to individual pupil casework where there is need via a NEPS psychologist. Currently, NEPS employs 235 educational psychologists (WTE).
The estimated yearly salary cost of recruiting 10 additional WTE educational psychologists is €1,029,808. This figure includes employer PRSI costs. It does not include non-pay costs associated with the employment of an educational psychologist.
