National Therapy Service 'good news' for special schools in Kildare

Kildare South Fine Gael TD and Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries, and the Marine, Martin Heydon has said that the introduction of National Therapy Service for special schools is “good news” and will come as a relief to families across Kildare.

Minister Heydon said therapy services will begin in special schools later in the next academic year.

He said: “I am delighted to see confirmation of the rollout of therapy services in special schools in Kildare. Providing some level of speech and language therapy and occupational therapy to each special school is essential to help students reach their full potential.

“The focus will initially be on introducing speech and language therapy and occupational therapy into special education schools. Over time we will see an expansion of other services, like physiotherapy.”

According to the Minister, the provisions of these therapies in special schools will ensure that the most vulnerable children in Kildare can access the services that they need.

This service will also complement the critical work of teachers and SNAs in supporting children with special needs, he added.

Concluding, Minister Heydon said: “Fine Gael and Minister for Education, Helen McEntee want to ensure every child has the tools they need to access their education. The provision of therapies in special schools will go a long way in helping the most vulnerable children access education”.

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