Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2005
48 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will elaborate on his recent announcement regarding the provision of speech and language therapy for Irish speaking children in Gaeltacht schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5804/05]
View answerI announced on 23 January 2005 that I had approved the provision of €87,000 to the Health Service Executive to co-finance on a 50:50 basis the appointment of three Irish-speaking speech and language therapists in order to improve the level and nature of the speech and language therapy services provided in Gaeltacht areas.
The arrangements surrounding the recruitment and deployment of these therapists to the best effect is a matter for the Health Service Executive in co-operation with the Department of Health and Children, as appropriate. I understand that discussions have already taken place on these issues.
The provision of this once-off funding to the Health Service Executive by my Department for this improved service represents another positive and significant measure in the practical implementation of the recommendations of Coimisiún na Gaeltachta and will help to ensure that the language is carried forward in the Gaeltacht as a living spoken language to the next generation. It should be noted that the grant was sanctioned on the understanding that the Health Service Executive would assume full responsibility for funding the initiative after the first year.
