Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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356. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the ongoing delay in the provision of promised therapists to a school (details supplied); and when they will finally be in place. [56653/22]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I would like to thank the Deputy for the question and wish to advise the following:I as Minister for Special Education and Inclusion, and my Department were very much involved in discussions over the summer period which ultimately led to the Government confirming in August that priority will be given to reinstate health and social care supports that were historically provided in special schools.

This decision was very much welcomed by special schools, parents and advocacy groups.

My Department has been advised that the HSE have developed a programme for the reinstatement of 136 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) posts, which is in addition to the 85 re-instated posts for Special Schools announced in 2021.

The intention of the HSE as we understand it is to implement the programme in 3 phases.

My Department meets regularly with the Department of Health, the HSE and other Government Departments to monitor the progress being made on the reinstatement of these posts in our special schools. The latest update from the HSE indicates that 55 of the 85 posts allocated to support special schools in 2021 have been filled.

My Department has been advised that the Trade Union (which represent personnel involved in this work) had issued an instruction of non-cooperation to its members regarding the re-instatement process. However, I understand that intensive discussions between the HSE and the trade union are on-going to address the concerns of its members with regard to this initiative.

The HSE remains committed to the programme and continues to engage proactively with the union to facilitate a resolution to this matter as quickly as possible, ensuring the re-instatement of these posts to Special Schools across the country. Further questions on this matter should be addressed to the Department of Health and/or the HSE directly.