Some Co Kildare schools part of new pilot project providing therapy services from September onwards

Some Co Kildare school children and pre-schoolers  will benefit from a pilot project of therapy services including the provision of nine speech and language therapists and 12 Occupational Therapists in a number of schools and pre-schools from this September. 

Senator Anthony Lawlor said 15 pre-schools, 22 primary schools, five secondary schools and two special schools across Kildare will receive supports from speech and language and occupational therapists. 

Senator Lawlor said: “Parents always tell me that they would like to see a more joined up approach to delivering services that are tailored to their child’s needs.

“This pilot model will bring together therapists and educational professionals who have until now often operated separately. This also allows a focus on early intervention which can have a transformative impact on a child's progression."

He said:“It is important to be able to give our children the best possible start in life and I am delighted to welcome these additional supports.”

The 150 schools and pre-schools selected for the pilot are located within HSE Community Healthcare Organisation (CHO) Region 7 which includes West Dublin, Kildare, and West Wicklow. 

The schools and pre-schools were chosen to be representative of the overall educational system and include settings in disadvantaged areas, large, small, urban and rural schools and pre-schools as well as those with differing special educational needs.

These schools and pre-schools will receive the support of 19 speech and language therapists and 12 Occupational Therapists. 

Primary Schools

Special Schools

Post Primary Schools