Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 3

Written Answers. - Speech Therapy Services.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

342 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to shorten the two year waiting list for children awaiting speech therapy in some health board regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7907/99]

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

343 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Health and Children it his attention has been drawn to the fact that some health board regions have speech therapy for people over 18; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7908/99]

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

344 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, although assessment and diagnosis for speech therapy is available for adults in some health board regions, no treatment is offered. [7909/99]

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

345 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are no speech and language therapist specialists posts, and Ireland is the only EU country without this expertise; and his views in this regard. [7910/99]

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

346 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are only 250 speech and language therapists when it has been established that 850 posts should be in place and people have to go to the United Kingdom for intensive treatment courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7911/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 to 346, inclusive, together.

The report of the Review Group on Health and Personal Social Services for People with Physical and Sensory Disabilities, Towards an Independent Future, published in December 1996 sets out the requirements for the development of these services, including speech and language therapy services. The report recommended that 150 new speech and language therapy posts be put in place over the next ten years. As also recommended in the report, regional co-ordinating committees for services for people with physical and sensory disabilities have been put in place in each of the health boards. One of the primary functions of the co-ordinating committees is to advise the chief executive officer of each board on priorities for the allocation of funds available for the development of the services.

Since the report was published three new speech and language therapy posts were created in 1997 and ten new speech and language therapy posts in 1998. The setting of priorities for the development of services, including speech and language therapy services, in 1999 is being discussed by the health boards with their local co-ordinating committees. At present, there are 229.1 whole time equivalent speech and language therapy posts in the health boards providing services in the community to both children and adults with physical and sensory disabilities and this service continues to be identified by all health boards as a priority service for development.

While the speech and language therapy service provided to adults is generally more limited than that provided to children, it does include assessment, diagnosis and treatment. The current waiting list for children awaiting speech and language therapy services averages one year. The waiting time varies depending on the clients priority rating which is determined at the time of the initial assessment.