Hanafin fails to deliver on psych staff

SCHOOLS have access to only six more full-time educational psychologists than they had five years ago, according to Department of Education figures.

Staff of the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) are assigned to schools and assess students with learning difficulties to determine the level of extra support they might need.

Education Minister Mary Hanafin promised exactly a year ago that NEPS staff numbers would rise to 158 psychologists by the end of the year.