Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
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72. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills , further to Parliamentary Question No. 461 of 15 February 2022, if she will include the CHO 1 area in the extension of the pilot of the school inclusion model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55681/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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In February 2019, the Government approved a trial of the Model for the 2019/20 school year. Initially designed as a one year pilot involving up to 75 participating schools in the CHO 7 region, it was interrupted by Covid-19 with the closure of schools and the diversion of HSE therapists from the project to Covid related work. It was then extended to the 2020/21 school year which was also interrupted by Covid. Progress has been made on aspects of the Model but much remains to be done in terms of in-school implementation and evaluation. The Pilot recommenced in November 2021 in CHO7.

There are a number of challenges and barriers to continuing the roll-out of SIM in CH07 and expanding SIM to other areas at this time. The single biggest challenge is the availability of therapists. While the Department’s initial intention was to expand SIM to other areas, pressures relating to workforce supply (therapists and psychologists) have resulted in SIM being limited to one CHO area. This will remain in 2023.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) are engaging with CORU (regulatory body over therapists) to determine how the current registration process can be expedited. The HSE is engaging with the Department of Health, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and the Department of Further and Higher Education to explore how the Higher Education Institutes can increase third level capacity, with a focus on an initiative to commence in September 2023.