Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2016
106. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the action that will be taken to reduce waiting times for children needing speech and language therapy in CHO 4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30647/16]
View answerThe Government recognises that waiting lists for speech and language therapy have been very difficult for families. To address this, €4 million was provided under the HSE’s National Service Plan 2016 to specifically focus on speech and language therapy waiting lists in Primary Care and Social Care for children up to 18 years old. This investment represents a long-term increase in speech and language capacity that will be maintained into 2017 and beyond. It builds on the significant additional resources that have been invested over the past number of years in the State’s primary care and disability services with a view to enhancing therapy service provision. In addition, the HSE has introduced a number of initiatives specifically in relation to speech and language therapy services that are aimed at improving access to these services, such as therapists increasing clinic based work and providing family centred interventions in a group, as opposed to a one-to-one setting, whenever possible.
From the €4 million, the HSE is appointing 83 new full-time and recurring posts in primary care to address all the waiting lists by prioritising the longest-waiting children. The HSE is also funding temporary measures in 2016 from the available funding which include temporary posts and use of agency staff.
As this question relates to speech and language service matters in Community Health Organisation 4, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
