Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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158. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the timelines and details for the roll-out of school-based therapies for special schools, schools with units and general mainstream schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31243/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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It is my intention to prioritise the Programme for Government commitment to introduce a National Therapy Service in education, commencing in special schools and subsequently extending to schools with special classes and mainstream provision. This service will be delivered by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), building on the NCSE’s work previously completed through the Educational Therapy Support Service (ETSS).

The introduction of a National Therapy Service follows the decision of the Government in 2021 to prioritise the restoration of pre-existing, on-site, health and social care supports for children in special schools. The National Therapy Service will work alongside existing services such as CDNT’s and NEPS to ensure all children and young people have the opportunity to access supports in the right place at the right time, maximising their potential and engagement in their education.

It is intended that the National Therapy Service will commence in some special schools at a later stage in the 2025/26 school year. Further roll out of the service will occur on a phased basis with a wider roll-out commencing in the 2026/27 school year. Further phases will include provision to special classes and mainstream classes. Initially the service will include the disciplines of Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy, over time further disciplines such as physiotherapy may be included.

Officials in the Department of Education have begun engagement with relevant Departments and agencies on the design, timelines, alignment, integrated working and costings involved to deliver this ambitious programme of work.