“When this plan was launched, the Government promised that before the end of this year, up to 45 special schools would have on site speech and language and occupational therapists, with more schools to follow in 2026/27. Yet here we are, just two weeks from the start of term, and principals and teachers I have spoken to tell me they have received no communication, no details, and no indication of when, or if, these therapists will arrive,” Deputy Brady said.
“The Government says 90 therapists will be in place this year. But how? You cannot magically produce 90 fully qualified professionals. Are these posts even advertised? Are they being taken from other already stretched public services? The reality is that children with additional needs have been languishing on waiting lists for basic supports like speech and language therapy for years because of chronic under-resourcing and understaffing. Parents are at a breaking point and schools are doing their best with little to no specialist support.”
Deputy Brady said he was contacted by a concerned parent in Greystones whose son’s school is not on the list to benefit from this service.
“This parent told me, ‘Children need a therapist in their school every day, working directly with pupils, supporting teachers, and being part of the school community. The Government says no child should be left behind, but children are being left behind every single day. It is not good enough.’”
Deputy Brady warned that this initiative risks becoming yet another false promise designed to win headlines and votes rather than deliver real change.
“Helping children with additional needs should be a top priority, not a PR exercise. The Government must stop announcing schemes without ensuring the staff and resources are there to make them happen. I will be following this up directly with the Minister for Education to demand answers and to ensure that this does not become another broken promise at the expense of our most vulnerable children.”