Fine Gael TD for Offaly, John Clendennen, has welcomed confirmation that the Offaly School of Special Education will be included in the latest expansion of the Government’s Education Therapy Service.

The school is one of 19 special schools across nine counties being added to the service, which brings therapeutic supports directly into school communities for children and young people with special educational needs.

Deputy Clendennen said the announcement would provide important additional support for pupils, families and school staff in Offaly.

“This is very welcome news for the Offaly School of Special Education and for the children and families who depend on the excellent support provided there every day,” Deputy Clendennen told the Irish Independent in a statement.

“I have had the opportunity to visit the school on a number of occasions and have seen at first hand the dedication of the Board of Management, Principal Ed Graham and Deputy Principal Caroline Kelly, teachers, SNAs and wider school community, as well as the positive and supportive environment they have created for their pupils,” the Deputy said.

“Education Therapy Service brings therapeutic expertise directly into the school setting, allowing therapists to work alongside teachers, SNAs and school staff in supporting children throughout their school day.

“For families, that means better integration between education and therapy supports and, importantly, bringing those supports closer to the child rather than requiring families to navigate separate systems,” Deputy Clendennen noted.

The expansion was announced by Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton TD, and Minister for Special Education and Inclusion, Michael Moynihan TD.

Subject to the availability and recruitment of therapists, it is envisaged that the newly included schools will have access to therapy supports by the end of the first school term of the 2026/27 academic year.

“This latest announcement is another positive step for the school, and I also look forward to seeing its ambitious plans for the future materialise,” Deputy Clendennen added.

“The school community has a clear vision for developing a new build facility and I will continue to support them in advancing those plans. The focus now must also be on ensuring that recruitment continues so these therapy supports can be put in place in Offaly as quickly as possible,” he finished.

The Education Therapy Service is designed to supplement, rather than replace, existing health and disability services and will operate alongside services including Primary Care, Children’s Disability Services, NEPS and CAMHS.

Independent TD for Offaly, Carol Nolan, has also welcomed that the Offaly School of Special Education will finally be included in the next phase of the Education Therapy Service (ETS).

Deputy Nolan, who is a long‑time supporter of the Offaly School of Special Education, said today’s announcement is “a positive step, but one that should never have taken this long.”

“I have campaigned for years for Offaly’s special education community to receive the same level of therapeutic support that other counties were afforded earlier this year. The Offaly School of Special Education has been crying out for embedded therapy supports, and today’s confirmation is very welcome new,” Deputy Nolan said.

The independent TD said the ETS model has real potential to improve outcomes for children with complex needs, but only if the Department and NCSE “stop treating communication as an afterthought.”

“The ETS is a valuable initiative, as embedding therapists in schools can and should transform a child’s educational experience. But the Minister must stop announcing schemes without providing basic clarity to the schools and families affected,” Deputy Nolan stated.

“When the first phase was launched in February, I criticised the Minister for failing to name the schools and I stand over that criticism. Today’s announcement is progress, but it is also a reminder that Offaly should never again be left behind. We do not need to see a repeat of this kind of piecemeal, opaque communication that has repeatedly left families and schools in the dark.”

Deputy Nolan said she will be seeking immediate assurances that therapists will be assigned to Offaly within the timeframe promised:

“The Department says therapy supports will be in place by the end of the first term of the 2026/27 academic year. I will be holding the Minister and the NCSE to that commitment. Offaly families have waited long enough.”

The Offaly TD concluded by acknowledging the work of staff, parents, and advocates.

“The Offaly School of Special Education has an extraordinary team who have been delivering for children despite chronic gaps in therapeutic provision. Today’s announcement is a credit to their persistence and to the families who never stopped pushing for fairness. I will continue to stand with them until the service is fully delivered and fully resourced,” she finished.