Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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96. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the funding allocated by his Department in Budget 2023 for the provision of therapy services in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52439/22]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Further to recent discussions with An Taoiseach and relevant Government Ministers, the HSE and its CDNT Lead Agencies will receive additional funding to provide for an additional 136.3 WTEs to allow for the re-instatement of therapy posts in order to restore pre-existing services in 104 special schools. 

The HSE had committed to a timeframe for the restoration of therapists to special schools, intending to take place in three phases commencing in September 2022. This was intended to ensure a quantum of resources would be available to special schools as quickly as possible.

I wish to advise the Deputy that a significant number of therapists within the first phase had been reinstated to schools when the Forsa Trade Union (which represent personnel involved) raised concerns with the HSE regarding the re-instatement process. These concerns have impacted on the HSE’s capacity to progress the first phase of the special school project.

The HSE remain committed to the programme and I can advise that intensive and ongoing engagement is taking place between the HSE and Forsa in order to facilitate a resolution to this matter as quickly as possible, ensuring the re-instatement of these posts to Special Schools across the country.