Ministers publish document outlining education plans
Helen McEntee said 'Education Plan 2025' outlined a significant body of work "to deliver for everyone in our school and youth services' communities".
The plan includes the establishment of a promised new education therapy service which will see therapists return to working in special schools in the next school year.
Children attending special schools used to have access to supports such as occupational and speech and language therapies in their school but this service was removed in recent years, and now work is being done to reinstate access.
The two ministers said they intend that the National Council for Special Education will commence work with an aim to provide 90 therapists to work in 45 special schools in the next school year, starting initially with occupational and speech and language therapists.
Minister McEntee said supporting children with additional needs and tackling educational disadvantage were "key priorities" of hers.
The minister said she would work with schools to reduce the costs they are facing, and also work to reduce costs faced by parents, such as the cost of uniforms. She said consultation with parents would be a key feature.
Minister Michael Moynihan said work to finalise the SNA workforce development plan was ongoing and would help pave the way for how best to support SNAs in the future, while also ensuring appropriate supports are in place to facilitate attendance and participation by all children in school.
The plan sets out the actions which will be implemented each quarter by the Department. Half-year progress reports will be published, with a new plan published each year.
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