224. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education and Youth for an update on the therapists in special schools pilot in Cork. [54114/26]

My Department is in ongoing engagement with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality (DCDE) , the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in relation to the implementation of this pilot.

I can confirm that the Enhanced In-School Therapy Supports Pilot which provides therapy supports to 16 special schools in Cork, Dublin and Galway, will continue for the 2026/2027 school year. This will ensure the continued availability of therapeutic supports for the participating special schools and their pupils in Cork in line with the phase rollout of the Education Therapy Service (ETS).

With regard to the rollout of the ETS, the NCSE has recently completed a recruitment campaign for Senior and Staff Grade Occupational and Speech and Language Therapists for the initial 16 counties, which include Cork. The NCSE are currently offering posts to successful candidates in this campaign to support the 45 special school in the initial phase, announced on the 6th February 2026.

The continued rollout of the ETS will be supported by phased recruitment campaigns, including a national campaign in Q3 2026, to ensure therapy needs across the school system are met.

My Department and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.