Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 April 2004
523 Mr. Haughey asked the Minister for Health and Children the financial assistance available for parents of children who decide to organise resource teaching and speech therapy privately in situations where health boards have great difficulties providing such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11339/04]
View answerResponsibility for the provision of educational services, including school placement, transport and the provision of special needs assistants, resource teachers and so forth, for children with special needs is a matter for the Department of Education and Science. The health services provide a range of health related support services for children with special needs, including speech and language therapy.
One of the major difficulties facing the health services in delivering support services to children and adults with disabilities is the shortage of certain professionals, such as speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and psychologists. Significant progress has been achieved in boosting the number of training places. Last year, the Minister for Education and Science and the Minister for Health and Children announced 150 additional therapy training places in speech and language therapy and occupational therapy.
There has also been a concerted overseas recruitment drive on behalf of all health boards, the introduction of a fast track working visa scheme for health and social care professionals and the streamlining of procedures for the validation of overseas qualifications. The success of these measures is reflected in the increase in the number of speech and language therapists and occupational therapists employed in the public health service over the three year period to end of 2002, with a 73% increase in occupational therapists and a 33% increase in speech and language therapists.
While there has been significant progress in enhancing the health related support services available to children with special needs, there is need for a continued programme of investment in this area. In the meantime, the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards have been asked to explore other possibilities such as the purchase of additional therapy services.
