Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
186. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she plans for the educational therapy service to be rolled out to all special schools and, in time, all mainstream schools; if she can provide a timeline for this rollout; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70225/25]
View answerIn line with the programme for government, the Education Therapy Service (ETS) has been established as an additional support for children and young people in their school environment. It is not a replacement for existing children’s services from which provision will continue. It will commence in specials schools and rollout in time to special classes and mainstream school. It is anticipated that the service will commence in 45 special schools at a later stage in the 2025/26 school year.
The selection process to identify schools for inclusion in the initial phase is ongoing and being informed by engagement with our colleagues in the HSE and the National Council of Special Education (NCSE). It is anticipated that school selection for the initial phase will be complete early in 2026 to ensure that selected schools have the opportunity to engage with the ETS prior to therapist assignment.
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.
In the interim schools have access to the NCSE regional therapy support, which provides Teacher Professional Learning (TPL) with follow on/implementation support. These seminars are available nationally for the 2025/2026 school year.
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.
Question No. 187 answered with Question No. 155.
