Cavan and Monaghan included in new school therapy rollout

Cavan and Monaghan are set to benefit from the rollout of a new school-based therapy service aimed at supporting children with additional educational needs.

The Department of Education and Youth has confirmed that recruitment is continuing for the new Education Therapy Service (ETS), officially launched in February. It is being introduced on a phased basis across the country.

The service will provide occupational therapy and speech and language therapy supports within schools, with an initial focus on special schools before being expanded more widely during the 2026/27 academic year.

Monaghan was included in the first wave of recruitment undertaken by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), which recently completed a recruitment campaign for senior and staff-grade occupational therapists and speech and language therapists across 16 counties.

According to the Department, panels have now been established and positions are being offered to successful candidates. Some therapists have already taken up posts since late May, while further appointments are expected throughout the summer and into the next school year.

Cavan, meanwhile, formed part of a separate recruitment campaign alongside Donegal, Kerry and Waterford. The Department stated that interviews for the posts should conclude by mid-June.

The progress of recruitment in Cavan will help determine the next phase of the service's expansion beyond the initial 45 special schools included in the pilot rollout.

The Department said the Education Therapy Service represents a significant shift in how therapy supports are delivered, with therapists assigned directly to schools rather than relying solely on external health services.

The rollout is being supported through a series of phased recruitment campaigns scheduled throughout 2026 and 2027.

Neighbouring counties are also included in the initiative. Therapists are currently being recruited or appointed in Louth, Meath, Longford, Westmeath and Sligo, while interviews have recently taken place for posts in Roscommon, Mayo, Clare and Offaly.

The Department says it’ll continue to work closely with the HSE as the service expands to ensure therapy supports are delivered safely and effectively between education and health services.