Phil Hogan
Question:263 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children when he will provide the necessary finance to sanction the position of speech therapist for a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [11708/98]
Written Answers. - Speech Therapy Service.
Phil Hogan
Question:310 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will sanction the position of speech therapist for a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [12180/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 263 and 310 together.
I understand from the South-Eastern Health Board that the board currently provides between two and three speech and language therapy sessions for the pupils in the school in question. As the board's staff are already committed to providing a range of services within its own facilities, it is not possible to increase the number of sessions being provided for these pupils at this time.
While the numbers of speech therapists in training and in employment in the health services generally have increased in recent years, the demands on these services have also continued to increase. In relation to the provision of such services for children of school going age, the report of the special education review group recommends that where speech therapists are working full time in schools, they should be funded by the Department of Education and Science.
I intend to discuss with my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, the needs of children of school going age in relation to both speech and language therapy and psychological services with a view to determining how best progress can be made in enhancing the level of both these services for this group in the light of the recommendations of the special education review group on the provision of these services.