John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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74. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress being made to introduce a new in school speech and language therapy service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51903/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Programme for a Partnership Government states that a new model of In-School Speech and Language Therapy will be established. 

In October of this year, Budget 2018 provided an additional €2M to introduce a pilot/demonstration project for in-school Therapy services in 2018.

The demonstration project will develop and test a model for the delivery of in school speech and language and occupational therapy support, in a defined regional area, across a range of schools, in conjunction with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and supplementing existing HSE therapy services.

The pilot will focus on developing greater linkages between educational and therapy supports.

It will provide for in school therapy services and also professional support, training and guidance for school staff and parents. It will seek to assist schools to develop their capacity to support children with speech and language therapy needs in schools, while also focusing on early identification and intervention.

An Interdepartmental Working Group, including representatives from my Department, the National Council for Special Education, the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, has been appointed to develop the pilot/demonstration model for In-school Therapy Services.

I will be announcing further details in relation to the project in the near future.