Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
522. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on the ongoing absence of speech and language therapy, SLT, support for the language class at a school (details supplied); and to advise when a replacement SLT will be provided, or the alternative arrangements can be put in place to ensure that the children’s therapeutic and educational needs continue to be met. [6024/26]
View answerThis government is fully committed to supporting students with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
Students with Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) or Speech Sound Disorder (SSD) have access to speech therapy services either through the speech and language therapy services provided in special class settings by the Health Service Executive (HSE), or through the HSE’s primary care service.
There are, however, sixty-three special classes for pupils with Developmental Language Disorder or Severe Speech Sound Disorder attached to mainstream primary schools in dispersed geographical locations including in the school referred to by the Deputy. These classes, cater for pupils with a very specific set of language needs for a maximum of two years.
The Inspectorate's report - Educational provision for pupils with Specific Speech and Language Disorder: Special Classes attached to Mainstream Primary Schools in Ireland recognised how schools highly value the services of the speech and language therapists (SLTs) allocated to them to support the work of the special classes. There was evidence that many SLTs shared professional knowledge very effectively with teachers. Co-professional approaches between SLTs and teachers have huge potential to integrate educational and therapeutic practice to support pupils’ needs. Inspectors described some very effective collaboration between SLTs and teachers, sometimes exemplified by joint classroom practice focused on agreed language programmes.
However, the report also referred to a reduction of HSE-provided SLT supports to the classes in recent years. Notwithstanding the reductions in provision, teachers acknowledged the expertise SLTs contributed to assessment while also advising on approaches, individual planning, co-teaching and individual therapy.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for children with special educational needs. My officials have asked the NCSE to contact the HSE directly in relation to the lack of a SLT in the class referred to in the correspondence.
