Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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245. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the interactions her Department has had with the HSE in terms of the delivery of increased funding for SLT and OT services for a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [67548/25]

Michael Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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As outlined in Parliamentary Question 53 of the 22nd of October, the provision of clinical therapy services is within the remit of the HSE and HSE funded agencies. In the Education Plan 2025, the government made a commitment to and the approval of the establishment of the Education Therapy Service (ETS). This is not to replace HSE services but rather to compliment existing supports recognising that special schools support children with complex needs.

As previously advised, it is anticipated that the ETS will commence in 45 special schools at a later stage in the 2025/26 school year and will be supported by a panel of 90 therapists comprising of senior and staff grades. Further roll out of the service will occur on a phased basis with a wider roll-out to further special schools commencing in the 2026/27 school year. In time, it is intended that this service will be available to schools with special classes and mainstream schools.

It is envisioned that school selection for the initial phase will be completed in the 2025 school year to ensure that selected schools have the opportunity to engage with the ETS prior to therapist assignment.

In addition to the ETS, the ETSS, which will be subsumed into the ETS, currently provides two strands of support, Regional Therapy and Sustained In-School Therapy to both mainstream and special schools.

I understand officials in the department are aware of and have discussed this school and its associated needs with colleagues in the HSE National Disability Office. However based on the current model of service of the ETS, my department is not in a position to provide funding for therapy supports in this school at this time.

My Department and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) 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.