Louth TD Paula Butterly has welcomed the inclusion of two Louth special schools in the first phase of the new Education Therapy Service.
Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton has announced details of the initial phased roll out of the Education Therapy Services, which will provide in-school therapeutic support for children with special educational needs.
The Education Therapy Service is a standalone commitment under the Programme for Government and represents a major cross departmental initiative aimed at strengthening support for children with additional needs. The service will be delivered by the National Council for Special Education.
The first clusters will be based in Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Kilkenny, Louth, Laois, Limerick, Longford, Meath, Monaghan, Tipperary, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow.
Announcing the first 45 special schools to benefit from the service, Minister Naughton said:
The Education Therapy Service represents a major step forward in how we support children with additional needs in our schools. By embedding therapists directly within school communities, we are ensuring that children can access timely, practical and joined-up support in the place where they learn every day.
Today’s announcement marks the first phase in delivering this important service. The roll-out will continue throughout 2026, with further recruitment planned across Offaly, Sligo, Clare, Mayo and Roscommon in March 2026, followed by Donegal, Kerry, Cavan and Waterford by the end of June 2026. A rolling national recruitment campaign will continue to ensure therapy needs across the school system are met.
Deputy Butterly said:
This initiative aims to bridge the gap between health and education services, ensuring that a child’s developmental needs are met exactly where they spend the majority of their day.
The inclusion of two Louth schools in the programme is a significant win for families, teachers, and school communities. This initiative is a recognition that education and health are inextricably linked. By embedding therapy services within the school gates, Ireland is moving closer to an inclusive system that truly supports the whole child. For parents, it provides a sense of reassurance that their child’s professional support team is working in harmony, all focused on a single goal helping the student to reach their full potential in a supportive, familiar environment.
The Fine Gael TD said she has consistently advocated for in school therapy support and highlighted her ongoing engagement with special schools across Louth.
Since being elected, I have visited and met with the staff, parents, and principles of our special schools. They have been clear about the difference in school therapies made for children. I have supported this work from the outset and will continue to do so.
Therapy support will continue to be provided to 16 schools through the Enhanced In School Pilot and to four special schools currently receiving support from the National Council for Special Education through sustained in school therapy provision.
Engagements with all schools included in this first phase will take place in the coming weeks, ahead of therapist assignment.
The initial clusters were determined following engagement with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, the Health Service Executive and the National Council for Special Education.
