Disability services shortfall in Louth as Taoiseach promises therapy for special schools
"Louth TD highlights ongoing gaps in disability services
Dundalk TD Ruairí Ó Murchú has welcomed a commitment from Taoiseach Micheál Martin that therapies will be made available for children in special schools in September, but highlighted the “huge gaps” in disability services for families in Louth.
The Sinn Féin deputy questioned the Taoiseach in the Dáil last week after a response to a parliamentary question he submitted revealed how there are over 500 full-time unfilled positions in children’s disability teams around the state.
He said that even if all the positions were filled it was likely that more services would still be needed and he said that while the therapies for children in special schools are welcome, they need to be introduced into mainstream schools “as soon as possible.”
He said: “The Taoiseach has often said he believes in the school inclusion model. We require a holistic school inclusion model. When is that going to happen?”
In response, the Taoiseach said a “therapy-based service is being worked on.”
The Taoiseach said: “We gave the green light for that and asked the Department of Education to prepare to, we hope, commence it this September, if we can get the Estimates right and so on.
“I think we are going full on with a school-based therapy service, for special schools in the first instance.”
And While Deputy Ó Murchú said he welcomed that commitment, he hoped these would be holistic therapies.
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He said: “Some families are worried they will just be school-based and it is vital that teachers, SNAs and parents are all made aware of what best practice is. At times, even technological back-up is absolutely vital and should not be left out. When do we move to school-based therapies being rolled out properly in the context of mainstream?”
In response, the Taoiseach said: “Deputy Ó Murchú asked about school-based and holistic therapies. The initial phase would be special schools and that will take some time. I am hoping we can get it started this year.
“Mainstream schools will be some time after that, but we will see what we can do. A lot will depend on the estimates, budgets, recruitment and so on. We will have to dramatically increase the number of therapists in our third-level colleges as well. This has to be something that is planned and programmed for the long haul.”