Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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1034. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will allocate sufficient funding to fully implement the national therapy service in mainstream education settings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41189/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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While the provision of clinical therapy supports to children is the responsibility of the HSE, it is this government’s ambition, and as outlined in the Programme for Government, to extend therapy supports within the education system, initially in special schools, and subsequently extending to schools with special classes and mainstream provision overtime. This is not to replace HSE services but rather to compliment existing supports recognising that special schools support children with complex needs.

Officials in my Department are engaging with relevant Departments and agencies on the design, timelines, alignment, integrated working and costings involved to deliver this ambitious programme of work. Discussions in relation to the funding of this service will continue over time in line with the phased rollout of the ETS.

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 in special schools 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).

The ETSS was established in June 2024 within the NCSE and initially comprises of 39 therapists, providing 2 strands of support, Regional Therapy and Sustained In-School Therapy to both mainstream and special schools.

Sustained in-school support (SIT) is provided to schools for a defined period of 18-24 months in line with the School Inclusion Model. 22 schools in the Eastern region are currently availing of this service. Schools in the Western regions, specifically in the counties of Limerick and Tipperary were invited to apply to the NCSE for Strand II sustained supports for the 2025/26 school year and schools will be confirmed next month.

Regional therapy support (RT) provides a national Therapy Teacher Training Service which involves teacher professional learning with in-school coaching and modelling in line with supports currently provided by the Educational Therapy Support Service within the NCSE. It is planned that these supports will be available nationally for the 2025/2026 school year.

My Department and I are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.