Expansion of therapy services in special schools to start in autumn

The provision of speech and language therapy and occupational therapy in special education schools is to be expanded from the start of the next academic year.

The expanded provision has been confirmed by Minister for Education Helen McEntee, who said the move would coincide with the establishment of a national therapy service in education, a measure committed to in the recent programme for government.

Physiotherapy will also be provided in school settings, though this will be “happening over time”.

The provision of therapists to schools under a pilot programme last year was well received by educators, many of whom suggested a previous decision to remove them had been a mistake.

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Published in The Irish Times, 19th April 2025