Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 March 2026
290. 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. [23486/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you for your correspondence and for highlighting the excellent support provided by the school to its students over the years.
As advised in Parlimentary Question 11570/26 Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegard Naughton, and I announced details of the 45 schools in the initial phase of the ETS on Friday the 6th of February.
It is important to highlight that this is the initial phase of the ETS rollout providing supports in Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Kilkenny, Louth, Laois, Limerick, Longford, Meath, Monaghan, Tipperary, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow.
The NCSE carried out a recruitment campaign for Senior and Staff Grade Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists positions in these counties and interviews for same completed recently. It is anticipated offers of employment will be extended to successful candidates, over the coming weeks.
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.
While Holy Family Special School cannot be offered ETS strand 1 supports in this cohort the school can avail of NCSE regional therapy provides 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.
