Dan Neville
Question:203 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children when a speech therapist will be appointed to a school catering for children with special needs (details supplied) in County Limerick. [29329/00]
Written Answers. - Speech Therapy Service.
As the Deputy is aware, the provision of speech and language therapy services in the Limerick area is the responsibility of the Mid-Western Health Board in the first instance. With regard to the matter raised by the Deputy, the Mid-Western Health Board was providing two sessions per week to support the special classes in the school in question up to last May. At this time the speech and language therapy post became vacant and the board has to date been unsuccessful in filling it, despite two separate advertisement campaigns.
The Mid-Western Health Board has assured me that it will continue to explore all possible means to increase the overall provision of services and in particular to the school in question. I have asked the board to keep me informed of any progress in this matter.