Parents of children with additional needs promised easier access to therapy as Education Therapy Service grows
Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Marian Harkin, has welcomed the announcement that the Education Therapy Service (ETS) is being expanded to a further 19 special schools nationwide, including St Cecilia’s Special School and St Joseph’s Special School in Sligo.
The expansion means that children attending both St Cecilia’s and St Joseph’s will benefit from access to therapy supports within their school communities, with the service expected to be available by the end of the first school term of the 2026/27 academic year, in line with available therapy resources.
Welcoming the announcement, Minister Harkin said, “I am very pleased to see St Cecilia’s Special School and St Joseph’s Special School in Sligo included in this important expansion of the Education Therapy Service.
“For children with special educational needs, access to appropriate occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and other therapeutic supports can make an enormous difference to their ability to communicate, participate, learn and develop their independence.
“Bringing these supports directly into our special schools is a very positive development. It means therapists can work not only with individual children, but also alongside teachers, SNAs and school staff, helping to create an environment where children can get the support they need as part of their everyday school experience.
“I particularly welcome the inclusion of both St Cecilia’s and St Joseph’s in Sligo. These schools provide vital supports to children and families across our community, and the staff in both schools do hugely important work every day.
“Parents of children with additional needs should not have to feel that accessing essential supports is a constant battle between different services. Where therapy can be integrated more effectively into the school environment, it can make a real difference for children, families and school staff.
“Today’s announcement is good news for St Cecilia’s, St Joseph’s and the families they serve. I look forward to seeing the Education Therapy Service becoming a meaningful and properly resourced support for children in Sligo and across the country.”
The Education Therapy Service is being delivered by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and is designed to complement, rather than replace, existing children’s health and disability services.
The service operates through a multi-tiered model, providing support at individual, class and whole-school level. It is intended to work alongside existing services including NEPS, Primary Care, Children’s Disability Services and CAMHS.
The latest expansion brings the Education Therapy Service to 64 special schools nationwide, with further expansion planned throughout 2027.
News of the expansion was also welcomed by Cllr Thomas Walsh who believes this is a welcome step forward.
Cllr Walsh said, “This is something I have raised previously and I really believe we should expand this service into every school where a child has a need for a therapeutic service. The benefits of this small investment for a young person and their family are immense. It allows for an earlier intervention and a time in a young person’s life when it is needed.”
Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.