Louis J. Belton
Question:382 Mr. Belton asked the Minister for Health and Children when a senior speech therapist will be appointed to the language unit of St. Joseph's national school, Longford. [21647/99]
Written Answers. - Speech Therapy Service.
The provision of health services, including speech and language therapy services, is a matter for the relevant health board. The health board decides, in consultation with its regional co-ordinating committee for physical and sensory disability services, on priorities for development in its functional area.
In this case, there are currently nine children aged nine to 12 in the Longford area who present with specific language disorders. They are receiving out-patient therapy sessions at the health centre, Longford. This involves regular review appointments on a monthly or six monthly basis or regular appointments for individual therapy. Levels of therapy are deter mined by the severity of the disorder presenting, the amount of therapy time available and patient compliance in attendance and follow through of therapy programmes.
From additional development funding available to the Midland Health Board in 1999 an additional speech and language therapy post was created to provide a service to the unit for hearing impaired in Ballymahon and the senior language class at the Downs primary school in Mullingar. The service to the Downs primary school was provided by the board as the Department of Education and Science had sanctioned the setting up of a senior language class at this location.
As far as the Midland Health Board is aware no sanction has been given by the Department of Education and Science for a senior language unit in Longford.