Ivor Callely
Question:158 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has regarding the provision of an adequate speech therapy service with support services; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Speech Therapy Service.
I am concerned at the level of speech therapy services in certain areas of the country and I regard the expansion of such services as a priority. In 1993, almost £200,000 of the £1.5 million additional allocation for services for people with a physical disability was devoted to this service. A further £1.5 million has been made available this year for services for people with a physical disability and I expect that a proportion of this allocation will be devoted to improving and expanding community-based therapy services, including speech therapy.
One of the reasons for the inadequacy of the speech therapy services is the lack of sufficient numbers of trained speech therapists. 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 1992-93 academic year. The total student body will increase in phases from 80 students in 1992 to 104 students in 1995-96. The increased level of graduate output resulting from this important development should ease difficulties in the area of speech and language therapy in the medium to long term.
The review group on physical and sensory disabilities has been examining a range of services for people with physical disabilities, including speech therapy. It is expected that the group will submit its final report within the next few months.