Jim Higgins
Question:125 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, he has to provide a speech therapist for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo.
Written Answers. - Speech Therapy Services.
Jim Higgins
Question:132 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, he has to provide a speech therapist for a school (details supplied) in County Mayo.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 132 together. The provision of speech therapy services in County Mayo is a matter in the first instance for the Western Health Board. Speech therapy services for children with a mental handicap in County Mayo attending special classes in mainstream schools are provided by the Western Care Association on behalf of the Board.
I understand that the Western Care Association is currently endeavouring to recruit a speech therapist who will provide a speech therapy service for the school in question.
The Deputy will be aware of problems generally concerning speech therapy services which is primarily due to a lack of sufficient numbers of trained staff. My Department has taken steps to remedy the situation by arranging for six extra training places to be provided at the School of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, Trinity College, Dublin, commencing in the 1992-1993 academic year. The total student body will increase in phases from 80 students in 1992 to 104 students in 1995-1996. The development should ease difficulties in the area of speech and language therapy.