Billy Timmins
Question:172 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will give a breakdown, by county, of speech therapists employed by the Eastern and South-Eastern Health Boards. [15982/99]
Written Answers. - Speech Therapy Services.
There are 65.5 speech and language therapists employed in community services in the Eastern Health Board; 51.5 in Dublin, eight in Kildare and six in Wicklow.
There are 30.2 speech and language therapists employed in community care in the South-Eastern Health Board; 8.5 in Carlow-Kilkenny, seven in South Tipperary, seven in Waterford, seven full time and 0.7 on a sessional basis in Wexford.
Billy Timmins
Question:173 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to standardise the speech and language therapy service policy (details supplied) between the Eastern Health Board and the South-Eastern Health Board. [15983/99]
As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of speech and language therapy services in the eastern region and the south eastern region is the responsibility of the Eastern Health Board and the South-Eastern Health Board in the first instance. I understand that in the case referred to by the Deputy, a number of the children from Wicklow currently attending school in Carlow receive a speech and language therapy service as part of a classroom based programme. Because of difficulties in the recruitment and retention of speech and language therapists, this service is necessarily limited at the moment. However, I understand that the South-Eastern Health Board is willing to enter into negotiations with the Eastern Health Board concerning the further development of speech and language therapy services to the children in question.
Billy Timmins
Question:174 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of primary school children awaiting speech therapy in the Hacketstown, Clonmore and Rathvilly areas of County Carlow; and the average waiting period for therapy to commence. [15984/99]
Billy Timmins
Question:175 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of secondary school children awaiting speech therapy in the Hacketstown, Clonmore and Rathvilly areas of County Carlow; and the average waiting period for therapy to commence. [15985/99]
Billy Timmins
Question:176 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of adults awaiting speech therapy in the Hacketstown, Clonmore and Rathvilly areas of County Carlow; and the average waiting period for therapy to commence. [15986/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 to 176, inclusive, together.
The following is the information requested in respect of the Hacketstown, Clonmore and Rathvilly areas of County Carlow: there are currently nine primary school children awaiting speech and language services, with four of these requiring assessment. There are no secondary school children awaiting therapy. The waiting time for children for assessment in the Carlow area is three months and the waiting time for therapy to commence is approximately 18 months. There is currently one adult who will be seen for assessment next week and, if appropriate, will be provided with speech and language therapy services immediately.
Billy Timmins
Question:177 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of primary school children awaiting speech therapy in County Wicklow; and the average waiting period for therapy to commence. [15987/99]
Billy Timmins
Question:178 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of secondary school children awaiting speech therapy in County Wicklow; and the average waiting period for therapy to commence. [15988/99]
Billy Timmins
Question:179 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of adults awaiting speech therapy in County Wicklow; and the average waiting period for therapy to commence. [15989/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 to 179, inclusive, together.
There are approximately 220 primary school children awaiting assessment for speech and language therapy services in County Wicklow. There is an average six month waiting time for assessment. Cases are then prioritised and the waiting time for treatment is six to 12 months on average.
There are approximately 14 secondary school children awaiting assessment for speech and language therapy services in County Wicklow. There is an average six month waiting time for assessment and again, following prioritisation, the waiting time for treatment is six to 12 months on average.
There are approximately 30 adults awaiting assessment for speech and language therapy services in County Wicklow with an average six month waiting list for assessment. Cases are prioritised depending on urgency.