Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Feb 1997

Vol. 474 No. 6

Written Answers. - Speech Therapy Service.

Rory O'Hanlon

Question:

103 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concern at the insufficient number of speech therapists available in the Cavan/Monaghan community care area; the plans, if any, he has to ensure adequate recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3593/97]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The provision of speech and language therapy service in the County Louth area is a matter for the North-Eastern Health Board. At present, there are two speech and language therapists in Monaghan and one in Cavan. The board expects to appoint a principal speech and language therapist for Cavan-Monaghan in the next few months and has held interviews recently for the appointments of two senior speech and language therapists.

As I have informed the House on previous occasions, the speech and language therapy service has improved in recent years. Health boards, including the North-Eastern Health Board, have viewed its development as a priority. A total of 28 additional therapists have been recruited tothe health services in the last three years. Notwithstanding these improvements, it is clear that further development of the speech and language therapy service in general is required. This issue will be given careful consideration in the context of the implementation of the report of the review group on services for people with physical and sensory disabilities which has examined speech and language therapy services among its review of health services generally for people with disabilities.