Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Feb 2002

Vol. 550 No. 1

Written Answers. - Speech Therapy Service.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

85 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason satisfactory speech therapy classes are not available for the 12 children in the special classes in the Presentation Primary School, Bandon, County Cork; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the current limited service allows for no contact hours with the children; his views on whether this approach is satisfactory; and if he will take immediate steps to ensure that full speech therapy facilities are restored so that the children can receive an education appropriate to their needs. [7286/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

Responsibility for the provision of health related support services to children with special needs in the Cork region rests with the Southern Health Board. My Department has therefore asked the chief executive officer of the Southern Health Board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply to him directly.