Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Mar 1995

Vol. 449 No. 8

Written Answers. - Speech Therapist Numbers.

Denis Foley

Question:

16 Mr. Foley asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself that the number of speech therapists employed within the Southern Health Board is adequate; and, if not, the measures, if any, he proposes to take to remedy the situation. [4591/95]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The provision of speech therapy services in the Southern Health Board region is primarily a matter for that board. The existing staff complement of speech and language therapists in the Southern Health Board area is 18.4 whole time equivalents.

The board is intent on developing its speech therapy service. With its allocation of the additional funding provided in 1993 and 1994 for the development of services for people with physical disabilities, the Southern Health Board made two speech therapy appointments in 1993 in the Kerry area and two speech therapy appointments in 1994 in the Cork area.

I am informed by the board that it is finalising a draft development plan for the speech and language therapy service which identifies the need for further therapists. It is anticipated that the Board will use part of its allocation of £300,000 from the £2 million additional development funding made available this year for services for people with physical disabilities, for the further development of its speech and language therapy service.