I thank you, a Chathaoirligh, for allowing me to raise this issue — the need to provide speech and language therapy services for Irish and bilingual students. This was the subject of a comprehensive submission to the Minister for Health from Comhar na Múinteoirí. I ask the Minister to examine this situation.
Speech and language therapy is defined as paramedical services for those suffering from speech disorders or disabilities in order to improve or restore their ability to communicate. Patients may present with symptoms having a physical, congenital, psychological or mental basis. They may be young children in the process of acquiring a language or older people in the aftermath of a stroke or accident. It is clear that the therapy must derive from the speech and the language of the patient.
Until the 1960s potential speech and language therapists had to go abroad, usually to Britain, for training. However, there is now a School of Clinical Speech and Language Studies in Trinity College. No speech or language therapy service has ever been systematically provided to Irish language or bilingual speakers. The provision of such a service has four major requirements. There is a requirement for research into normal language acquisition in order to provide a clear picture of developmental norms and, therefore, what constitutes deviancy requiring therapy. There is a need for training, both initial and in-service, of personnel to deal specifically with Irish and bilingual patients. There is also a need to introduce systematic policies of provision within all health boards. Diagnostic tools and materials based specifically on the Irish language must also be provided. It is clear that materials adapted from the sound system and developmental norms of another language cannot suffice for the Irish language.
While still scarce, some small scale studies are now available into various aspects of normal language acquisition in Irish. EU funding is available for a three year study across the Celtic languages, which is directed by Dr. Janig Stephens of the University of Wales at Cardiff. The School of Clinical Speech and Language Studies in Trinity College is participating in this study which should provide valuable basic data. The school is also currently investigating the possibility of providing a module on bilingualism in its initial training course. A survey is also being made of the possibility of an in-service course for practising therapists.
While no systematic provisions exist, the Western Health Board recently announced a specific service for the Gaeltacht and the island population it serves. The number of requests to the new service is a clear indication of the need which exists. No materials, however, exist to aid speech therapists in their diagnostic and service work with Irish and bilingual patients with differing needs and of differing age groups. Therapists with Irish, but without training through Irish, are currently doing their best to make their own materials to serve their clientele. No such problem exists for English where a range of sophisticated materials is on hand.
All parties in the Dáil and Seanad have consistently stated their commitment to the Irish language. The Minister for Health and the Department could provide the lead in the area of State provision in speech therapy services for Irish speakers in two ways. The first is through encouraging all health boards to provide a systematic policy of provision over a period of years. The second is through the more immediate, imaginative and profoundly useful step of providing the specific sum of £20,000 towards the design and provision of the vitally necessary diagnostic tools and materials without which no service can function. The results would be of direct benefit to all concerned, particularly to all the health boards. Such a sum could be found from the National Lottery. A small steering group from the Professional Association of Speech Therapists, the School of Clinical Speech and Language Studies and the Department of Health could oversee the project over a two year period at £10,000 per annum. A list of those competent to form the working group could be provided.
Údarás na Gaeltachta has supported the initiative by the Western Health Board which would involve therapists and the School of Clinical Speech and Language Studies at Trinity College. Recognition and aid from the Minister and his Department would have a profound effect on all relevant parties. Since the State has never before acted in this area of speech therapy for Irish speakers, the results will be more positive. Tar éis an tsaoil, is fearr déanach ná ró-dhéanach.
