Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 October 2014
173. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she will review speech and language therapy in respect of children (details supplied) in County Cork; her views on the considerable distance that these children must travel daily to access a specific speech and language disorder class; if she will examine if this is the best use of resources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37424/14]
View answerI wish to firstly explain that the enrolment of a child to a school is a matter in the first instance for the parents of the child and the Board of Management of a school. My Department has no role in relation to processing applications for enrolment to schools.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE), through their network of SENOs are available to assist parents to identify appropriate educational placements for children with special educational needs.
A range of placement options are available for pupils with Specific Speech & Language Disorder (SSLD). These include special classes for pupils with SSLD in primary schools. Applications to establish such classes are considered by the school's assigned Special Educational Needs Organiser (SENO) and are approved by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The criteria for establishing special classes for pupils with SSLD are set out in Circular 0038/2007. The establishment of such classes is contingent on the provision of Speech and Language Therapy support being provided to the class by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
In general, children who meet the criteria for enrolment in Special Classes for pupils with SSLD are eligible for free transport to the SSLD class nearest to his or her place of residence, subject to the terms of the school transport scheme.
Children who meet the criteria and who are not enrolled in a Special Class for pupils with SSLD qualify for additional teaching support through an allocation of resource teaching hours, processed by the National Council for Special Education.
As such, pupils with SSLD have the option of attending their local school with additional teaching supports and speech & language therapy through the primary care service, or attending a Special Class for pupils with SSLD with speech and language therapy services provided in class by the HSE.
In the case to which the Deputy refers, I am advised that a number of different placement options were explored for the children, including enrolment in their local mainstream primary school with additional supports as outlined above. In this case the parents accepted placements in a specific speech and language disorder class in the school where the children are currently enrolled. Special school transport arrangements were then put in place.
While it has been suggested that funding made available for school transport might be diverted to employ a speech and language therapist, the Deputy will be aware that this option is not possible. My Department currently has no responsibility or mandate for the Speech and Language service, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Health through the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The matter relating to the provision of speech and language therapy has been referred to my colleague, the Minister for Health for direct reply.
