Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Jun 1984

Vol. 352 No. 5

Written Answers. - Speech Therapy.

176.

Mrs. A. Doyle

asked the Minister for Health the reason many pupils leave Our Lady of Fatima special school, Wexford, without receiving essential speech therapy; the reason only 14 out of the 53 existing pupils deemed to need it, are receiving essential speech therapy and whether he can ensure that these mildly handicapped children are equipped with the basic essentials of communication before they leave school; and if he will ensure that our handicapped and disadvantaged do not experience the effect of Government cutbacks.

177.

Mr. Yates

asked the Minister for Health if a fulltime speech therapist will be provided for Our Lady of Fatima Special School in Carrigeen Street, Wexford; and if so, when.

Minister for Health (Mr. B. Desmond)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together. The South Eastern Health Board is short of speech therapists in the Wexford community care area. They have, however, recently recruited a further speech therapist who took up duty on 18 June which should improve the services on the ground there and consequently improve the level of speech therapy services available for the handicapped. While the mental handicap services are likely to be affected to some extent by the current economic difficulties, it is my intention, nevertheless, to ensure that they are protected insofar as it is possible from cutbacks in expenditure in the health services.