638. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Education the number of special schools where funding is being provided to cover the cost of private therapists in the absence of HSE therapists being available to the school, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35241/24]

639. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Education if her Department will provide funding for private therapists in schools (details supplied) in the absence of HSE therapists being available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35242/24]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 638 and 639 together.

The Department of Education does not provide funding to special schools to cover the cost of private therapists. The provision of health-related therapy services for children with disabilities is a matter for the HSE and queries in relation to those services should be directed to the HSE or to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

The Department of Education cannot duplicate the provision of funds to provide services that are already covered within the service delivery agreements that the HSE have in place. The Department has engaged extensively with the HSE and others in relation to the provision of therapy services in special schools leading to the recent announcement of a pilot programme which will see the HSE deploying therapists into a number of special schools for the duration of the school day and the school year.  The NCSE will be coordinating this programme on behalf of the Department.