Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
147. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether a formal co-ordination or mediation framework exists between her Department, the Department of Health and the Department of Education and Youth to support joint assessment, information-sharing and integrated planning for children with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13282/26]
View answerUnder the Programme for Government, the Government and the Department is committed to ensuring that children with disabilities who need early intervention and therapy input can access that support in a timely way. Whilst The National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (PDS) (2009) is the guiding policy for children’s disability services, there is a cross-Governmental approach to the provision of health and educational services for children with complex needs.
The Cross-Sectoral Group on Disability Issues for Children and Young People (CSG) provides leadership and supports decision-making for key Government Departments and Agencies which have a role in the delivery of disability services. The group was jointly re-established by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the Department of Education and Youth in February 2025.
The CSG provides a forum for the lead actors who have a responsibility for the formulation of sectoral policy and delivery of services to children and young people with disabilities in Ireland. It is intended to assist in coordination of key strategic objectives that have a cross-sectoral dimension, to provide a channel through which challenges and obstacles may be addressed, and through which important information may be shared.
The Special Schools’ Pilot Steering Group has been incorporated as a sub working group of the broader Cross-Sectoral Group. The ultimate purpose of the sub working group is the successful and effective implementation of the Special Schools’ Pilot.
The Department is also working with the Department of Education and Youth through the Education and Health Oversight Group for the Implementation of the Education Therapy Service (ETS). This group operates under the governance of the Steering Group for the Design and Delivery of the ETS.
The primary responsibility of this group is to ensure alignment and integration of working between Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists working in schools and those in the existing services.
The Education Therapy Service is a standalone commitment under the Programme for Government and represents a major cross departmental initiative to strengthen supports for children with special educational needs. The new therapy service will be delivered by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), with initial clusters based across 16 counties and including 45 schools.
