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State Rules Out Inclusion Of Midlands Special Schools In Pilot Scheme

Thursday, 22 August 2024 08:54

Photo Credit: X @Kolbe Special School Parents Group

The scheme will see the delivery of therapy supports to a select number of schools.

The State has ruled out the inclusion of Laois and Offaly special schools in a new pilot programme.

Four schools in Cork and two in Dublin were selected for the initial phase of the scheme, which will see the delivery of therapy supports to students.

Special schools in Laois and Offaly are campaigning to be included, however Junior Minister Sean Fleming says the areas chosen are selected, because they face what he describes as a 'lack of cooperation' from the HSE.

Minister Fleming says there will be supports for the schools in Laois and Offaly down the line:

Kolbe Special School in Portlaoise had been among the schools campaigning to be included in the pilot programme.

Orlaith Kerrigan is a member of the Therapist and Special Schools Alliance, and a Parent at Kolbe Special School in Portlaoise - she's calling on local representatives to intervene:

The initial locations were chosen following engagement between the Department of Children, the HSE and the NCSE, based on where the needs profile of the children identified as greatest from an educational perspective, and where resourcing is not currently available in proportion to these needs.

Commencement of the scheme in the additional 10 schools is set to get underway in January 2025, according to a spokesperson for Junior Minister, Anne Rabbitte.

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