Phil Hogan
Question:222 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will sanction a speech therapist for a school (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [26727/99]
Written Answers. - Speech Therapy Service.
The provision of health related support services, including speech and language therapy services, to school going children with an intellectual disability in the Kilkenny area is the responsibility of the South Eastern Health Board in the first instance. I understand from the board that the speech and language therapist who was providing services to the school in question has left the service. As a result, the provision of speech and language therapy services to the school in question has had to be curtailed as the board has had difficulty with the recruitment of a replacement speech and language therapist.
As part of a strategy to address this problem, the board is currently sponsoring speech and language therapy students who are due to take up positions in July 2000. This will enable the board to reinstate the service to the school in question. The position is being reviewed by the board on an ongoing basis and priority will be given to children on the waiting list.