Brian O'Shea
Question:277 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Health and Children the speech and language therapy service he will provide for a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17242/01]
Written Answers. - Speech Therapy Service.
As the provision of services for persons with an intellectual disability in the Waterford region is the responsibility of the South Eastern Health Board in the first instance, I have forwarded the Deputy's inquiry to the chief executive of the board for attention and direct reply.
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 schoolgoing age with an 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.
Some work still remains to be done in finalising Dr. Peter Bacon and Associates' report in relation to workforce planning for therapists. I expect that this report will be completed shortly and I am making arrangements to publish it in a few weeks time. Developments arising from the implementation of the recommendations contained in this report, together with some initial measures which my Department has already taken to increase the number of training places for certain allied health professionals, will provide for an increasing number of trained personnel for the services.
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.