Rory Hearne (Dublin North-West, Social Democrats)
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1265. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline her plans, if any, to roll out the in-school national therapy service to all schools; her plans in respect of coordination of the in-school national therapy service with existing psychology services in all schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43910/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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The Education Plan 2025, which was announced on the 19th of June 2025, confirmed Government approval for the establishment of the Education Therapy Service (ETS). This will see therapy supports extended within the education system, initially in special schools, and subsequently expanded 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.

The ETS will be delivered by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). The service will assign therapist/s to special schools and employ a multi-tiered model of support, which includes supports at a universal, targeted and individualised level. Ensuring children with the greatest level of need receive the greatest level of support

It is anticipated that the Education Therapy Service (ETS) will commence in 45 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).

ETS therapists will work with teachers in schools to collaboratively design and deliver educationally relevant interventions. They will also work in partnership with school communities, NCSE colleagues and where appropriate NEPS and HSE professionals to promote the participation and inclusion of all students and particularly those with special education needs across all levels of a multi-tiered system of support, providing individualised/intensive educational support for students with the greatest level of need.

Furthermore, the Department of Education and Youth has worked with the Department of Health and the HSE services on the development of a protocol to improve the liaison process in place between schools and mental health services. This will facilitate referral pathways to local services and signposting to such services.