Vol. 505 No. 3
177 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of speech therapists employed in the Southern Health Board area; the average waiting period for speech therapy; his views on whether the service is satisfactory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13740/99]
There are currently 26.7 whole-time equivalent speech and language therapy posts filled in the Southern Health Board community care service. The waiting period from referral date to the beginning of therapy varies according to age and type of disorder as follows: pre-school children with language problems 6 to 12 months; pre-school and school going children with severe to moderate phonology, sound system, disorders 12 to 30 months; and children with mild phonology disorders 18 to 48 months. The waiting period for assessment in all areas is three months.
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, one of which was in the Southern Health Board area, and ten new speech and language therapy posts in 1998, four of which are in the Southern 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.
