Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 March 2026
119. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether every school on the school therapists pilot project will automatically transfer to the education therapy support programme; whether these will retain existing staff on transfer; and whether these staff will reapply for their roles through the NCSE. [22789/26]
View answer130. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth whether every school on the school therapists pilot project will automatically transfer to the Education Therapy Support Programme; whether they will retain existing staff on transfer; and whether these staff will reapply for their roles through the NCSE. [22860/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 130 together.
On 6th February 2026, the Department of Education and Youth announced the phased rollout of the new Education Therapy Service (ETS) which will be delivered by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). It is important to highlight that this is the initial phase of the ETS rollout which will occur on a phased basis with a wider roll-out to further special schools within the 2026/2027 school year and a new initiative which will see all schools benefit in the coming years.
The NCSE has recently completed a recruitment campaign for Senior and Staff Grade Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists and interviews concluded this month for the initial 16 counties, which include Cork, Dublin and Galway.
Further roll out of the service will occur on a phased basis with a wider roll-out to other special schools within the 2026/2027 school year. We acknowledge the importance of consistency and established relationships in therapy provision and are cognisant of same throughout the development of the ETS.
In line with the rollout of the ETS, my department will continue to engage with the HSE on the ETS model of service, to ensure a safe service provision of schools supports between HSE services, including the enhanced pilot, and NCSE services. My department will also be engaging with NCSE HR regarding the recruitment and onboarding of therapists and subsequent assignment to schools.
The continued rollout of the ETS will be supported by further phased recruitment campaigns throughout 2026 to ensure therapy needs across the school system are met. We will be engaging with school with updates as the rollout progresses. Further information about the Education Therapy Service and answers to frequently asked questions is available on the NCSE website at www.ncse.ie.
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.
