Jimmy Deenihan
Question:75 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will appoint a full-time speech therapist at Nano Nagle special school, Listowel, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14693/99]
Written Answers. - Special Educational Needs.
The provision of health services to children with an intellectual disability in County Kerry is a matter, in the first instance, for the Southern Health Board.
This year I was pleased to be in a position to provide additional funding of £12 million, with a full year cost of £18 million in 2000, for the further development of new services in line with the needs identified in the Assessment of Need for Services to Persons with an Intellectual Disability – 1997-2001. Of this additional funding, £1,575,000 has been allocated to the Southern Health Board, with a full year cost of £2,010,000 in 2000.
Details of the precise services to be put in place in the southern region from this additional funding have been agreed by the board's regional co-ordinating committee in line with the priorities which they have identified for the region. Planning for the further development of support services, including speech and language therapy, for both children and adults with an intellectual disability is included by the Southern Health Board in their overall consideration of the needs in their region. I have asked the Southern Health Board to contact the principal of the Nano Nagle school to discuss in greater detail the school's requirements in relation to speech and language therapy services.