Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2026
368. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Youth if a school (details supplied) will be included in the next expansion of a programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11570/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the programme for government commitment, the Education Therapy Service (ETS) has been established as a critical and important support for children and young people in their school environment. The ETS is an additional support for children with special education needs. It is to supplement and not replace existing children’s health and disability services.
Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton, and I announced details of the 45 schools in the initial phase of the ETS on Friday the 6th of February. This will ensure that selected schools have the opportunity to engage with the ETS, through planned engagements, prior to therapist assignment. The initial clusters will be based in Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Kilkenny, Louth, Laois, Limerick, Longford, Meath, Monaghan, Tipperary, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow.
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, with interviews scheduled for this month.
The continued rollout of the ETS will be supported by phased recruitment campaigns throughout 2026 to ensure therapy needs across the school system are met, including a recruitment campaign in Donegal, Kerry, Cavan and Waterford by the end of June 2026. A rolling national campaign will continue later in 2026.
The recruitment of therapists and the recent appointment of the Head of Therapy represent significant steps toward full rollout of ETS in special schools and in special classes within mainstream settings. It is expected that future campaigns will also recruit additional therapy grades, including Therapy Managers, Clinical Specialists, and Therapy Assistants.
While Holy Family Special School cannot be offered ETS strand 1 supports in this cohort, the school can avail of NCSE regional therapy provided at national therapy led Teacher Professional Learning (TPL) events. This therapy-led TPL, with follow-on implementation support, is available to this school and is accessible online at: https://ncse.ie/tpl
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.
