Desmond J. O'Malley
Question:228 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Health and Children the precise waiting time for assessment of children with speech difficulties by Southern Health Board speech therapy personnel. [20499/97]
Written Answers. - Speech Therapy Service.
Desmond J. O'Malley
Question:229 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Health and Children the precise waiting time for children, who have been diagnosed with speech difficulties, to be seen by the Southern Health Board speech therapy personnel. [20500/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together.
There are 744 children in the Southern Health Board region awaiting assessment for speech and language therapy, with a waiting time, depending on community care area, ranging from 3 to 6 months. The number diagnosed and awaiting therapy is 1,742, with a waiting time ranging from 18 months to two years.
Health boards regard the development of the speech and language therapy service as a priority and 31 additional therapists have been recruited in the past four years. Notwithstanding these improvements, it is clear that the service requires further development and it will continue to be regarded as s priority.