I propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 128 and 158 together.
There were approximately 205 whole time equivalent speech therapists employed directly by the health boards, voluntary hospitals and the main mental handicap agencies at 31 December 1993. International norms vary greatly and are not necessarily relevant in an Irish context. I have been aware of the need to strengthen speech therapy service provision and I have allocated additional funding to the expansion of these services over the past two years. In 1993, almost £200,000 of the £1.5 million additional funding for services for people with a physical disability was allocated to this service and a further £150,000 has been allocated this year. The current figure of 213 represents an increase of 45 on the December 1991 figure.