Limerick East): I recognise fully the important role speech therapists play in the provision of services for all people with speech and language difficulties, including children with hearing impairments and am concerned that appropriate and adequate speech therapy services be available.
The Eastern Health Board has increased its complement of speech therapists from 28 to 61 since 1990 in recognition of the need to develop services in this area, including special services for children. In regard to St. Joseph's School for Deaf Children in particular, the board has recently initiated a pilot speech therapy service for those children who have received a cochlear implant. It is intended that this pilot service will help to identify the long-term need of these children and others in similar circumstances. The board is aware of the special skills speech therapists require to provide an effective service to deaf children and is examining the issue of training speech therapists in dealing effectively with deaf people.
As I have informed the House on previous occasions, I am concerned about the adequacy of speech and language therapy services generally and regard the expansion of such services as a priority. Accordingly, I am pleased to report that nearly £300,000 of the £2 million additional revenue funding provided this year for the development of services for people with physical or sensory disabilities was allocated for speech therapy services. The Deputy will appreciate that in the light of competing demands for development of other services for people with physical and sensory disabilities, improvements in the speech and language therapy services can only come about on a phased basis.
