Vol. 473 No. 3
70 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concern of many people in relation to the inadequacy of the speech therapy service; if so, the proposals, if any, he has to improve this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25067/96]
Limerick East): As I have informed the House on previous occasions, the speech therapy service has been improved in recent years. The health boards have viewed its development as a priority with the recruitment of 28 additional therapists in the last three years. Notwithstanding these improvements, it is clear that the service is in need of further development. It is one of the services which has been examined by the review group on services for people with physical and sensory disabilities. The report of the review group, which will be published shortly, will provide a blueprint for the development of these services over the next five years. I will examine speech therapy services in the context of the implementation of the recommendations of the review group.
