Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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388. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will ensure that a school (details supplied) is a recipient of all supports outlined in the Education Plan 2025 and, in particular, supports offered through the new education therapy service, which will see therapists working in special schools in the next school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35932/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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The Education Plan 2025 outlines the Department’s key annual priorities and commits to driving a substantial, multifaceted agenda—including education and youth policy, school infrastructure, inspections, psychological supports, governance, reform, and parliamentary processes. With a large and complex workload, the plan focuses on delivering impactful reforms and initiatives this year, while building momentum for future priorities. As outlined in the Education Plan 2025, the Department operates according to the principles of consistent improvement, innovation, evaluation and sharing learning which will underpin evidence­ informed policy development and programme delivery.

Regarding the Education Therapy Service (ETS), it is planned that this service will commence in special schools and subsequently extend to schools with special classes and mainstream provision.

It is anticipated that the Education Therapy Service (ETS) 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.

The development and delivery of this service will be informed by detailed engagement with our colleagues in the HSE and stakeholders and will build on the NCSE’s work previously completed through the Educational Therapy Support Service (ETSS).

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.

The ETS 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 opportunities to fully reach their potential and engagement in their education. This service is not a replacement for existing services, it will work in an integrated and complimentary way with other children’s services.

Work is ongoing on the establishment of the ETS and discussions regarding schools for inclusion in the initial roll-out is at a very early stage. However, it is envisioned that all special schools will have access to this service within the 2026/2027 school year.