Vol. 537 No. 2
197 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of speech therapists for national schools in area seven, Dublin city; the number of unfilled posts; and if the funding allocated for the unfilled posts will be utilised to provide private tuition for the children in need. [15574/01]
The provision of health related services, including speech and language therapy, is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in the first instance. Accordingly, the Deputy's question has been referred to the chief executive of the Eastern Regional Health Authority with a request that he examine the matter and reply directly to the Deputy as a matter of urgency. However, I am aware that, while there has been a significant level of investment in recent years in health related support services, including speech and language therapy services, for both pre-school and children of school going age with intellectual disability, autism, physical and sensory disabilities, the health boards and non-statutory agencies are experiencing difficulties in both recruiting and retaining the allied health professionals required to deliver these services. In acknowledgement of these difficulties, my Department has asked the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards to take a flexible approach in using the resources which have been allocated to the services, including the possibility of the purchase of additional sessions, with a view to facilitating as many children as possible to access the necessary support services.
I have just received the report that I commissioned on workforce planning for speech and language therapy from Dr. Peter Bacon and Associates. I am currently considering its implications and will shortly be in a position to announce developments in this area.
As the Deputy is also probably aware, section 8 of the Finance Act, 2001 amends section 469 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997, to extend tax relief for medical expenses to cover the cost of psychological assessments and speech and language therapy services for children.
