Emer Currie
Ceist:466. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Education and Youth for details on funding for special schools (details provided); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16688/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 3 March 2026
Ceisteanna (466)
Freagraí scríofa
In 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 will be delivered by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and is an additional support for children with special education needs. It is to supplement and not replace existing children’s health and disability services.
On 6th February 2026, the Department of Education and Youth announced the phased rollout of ETS. 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 initial phase of the ETS will commence in 45 special schools in this school year. The initial clusters will be based in Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Kilkenny, Louth, Laois, Limerick, Longford, Meath, Monaghan, Tipperary, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow.
As part of the ETS rollout and development, officials in my department will continue to engage with relevant departments and agencies on the alignment of resources, integrated working and the costings, including the funding of resources for occupational and speech and language therapy supports, associated with deliver this programme of work.
The ETS will develop an embedded therapy service which will ensure the development of robust relationships between therapist and teachers, allowing for co-design, joint problem solving and consistency. An embedded therapy service also provides the opportunity for consistent collaboration with parents and other service providers such as CDNTs and Primary Care.
Supporting the provision of appropriate education to children and young people with additional needs, through a 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, is a key priority for my department.