111. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Education her plans to ensure there are multi-disciplinary teams in all schools, including the recruitment and retention of therapists. [14637/25]

Sentiment score: 0.13

I congratulate the Minister on her post. I have not yet had an opportunity to say that to her across the floor. What are her Department's plans to ensure all students, especially children with additional needs, have access to in-school supports such as occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and psychological services? What is the plan to roll them out, for recruitment and resourcing schools throughout the country?

Sentiment score: 0.39

It is great that it will be rolled out. I am anxious to know exactly how far along the implementation of those places is, particularly at third level, for the autumn intake under the Central Admissions Office, CAO. I note from the programme for Government that a plan was set out to double the number of college places for speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and educational psychologists. How far along is that? With regard to expediting qualification routes for professionals who have relevant experience and skills, how will that work? Many people are working in the education system and broadly around it and I am wondering how that will work. I am interested to see how far along those plans are. Over recent weeks, the Minister has been meeting many parents, like every TD in the Dáil, about the lack of special education school places. She is trying to rectify that, but with that come all the other supports that need to happen.

Sentiment score: 0.20

I thank the Minister. Going further than that, it is great to see there will be a roll-out of these services and supports to young people and children in special schools. From looking at it, what we would like to see from an education perspective is that young people who need a service in mainstream schools will be able to access it. There are children throughout the country who need that support. School is a fantastic place to have that support and I would like speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and other psychological services to be available in all our schools. We will be a fully functioning society when we have that available to all the students in our schools, at primary and secondary levels and in special education schools, like in other countries that have high functioning education systems and social, emotional and psychological supports for students.

Sentiment score: 0.60