Vol. 504 No. 7
207 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself that the Eastern Health Board is recruiting enough speech therapists; the measures, if any, he is taking to improve this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12577/99]
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 set 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 following ten years. 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, four of which are in the Eastern Health Board area.
Another recommendation of the review group is the setting up of regional co-ordinating committees for services for people with physical and sensory disabilities. These bring together health boards, voluntary sector service providers and consumers. One of the primary functions of the co-ordinating committee is to advise on priorities for the allocation of funds available for the development of the services. This year £3 million – £6 million full year cost in the year 2000 – has been provided for the development of services. The allocation of funding out of this for the provision of additional speech and language therapy services will be considered by each board in consultation with its co-ordinating committee.
