Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 May 2017
166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which speech and language therapy continues to be available to persons with a specific requirement in Kildare north; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25014/17]
View answerSpeech and Language Therapy Services are under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Health and the service is provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to introduce a new in-school Speech and Language Therapy service, creating stronger linkages between parents, teachers and Speech and Language Therapists. The programme also commits to bring the number of Speech and Language Therapists up to 1,102 (a 25% increase).
The Programme for a Partnership Government also contains a commitment to examine the adequacy of present policies and provision, and their scope for improvement, particularly in relation to speech and language difficulties and early intervention.
Officials at my Department are currently engaging with colleagues in the Department of Health and the HSE to develop a plan for the implementation of this commitment. The implementation plan will identify the actions to be taken and the specific timeframe for the delivery of this commitment.
As the Deputy's question is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE), it should be referred to the Department of Health for direct reply.
My Department continues to provide an extensive range of special educational supports for pupils with Specific Speech and Language Disorder (SSLD). This includes provision for the establishment of 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 those meeting the criteria for establishment are approved by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). The criteria for enrolment in a Special Class for pupils with SSLD is set out in my Department's Circular 0038/2007.
Speech and Language Therapy services are provided to these classes by the Health Service Executive (HSE). An Admissions & Discharges Committee, comprising the Speech and Language Therapy Manager, Speech and Language Therapist, Class Teacher and Principal oversee the allocation of placements to a SSLD class. Classes operate with a reduced pupil-teacher ratio of 7:1 and eligible pupils may spend up to two years in such classes. 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.
Pupils not enrolled in a special class for SSLD and who meet the criteria for Specific Speech and Language Disorder, as outlined in my Department's Circular, may qualify for additional teaching support under the School's Special Education Teaching Support provision, where he/she is enrolled in a mainstream school .
As such, pupils with Speech and Language Disorder (SSLD) may attend a local school with additional teaching supports with speech & language therapy provided through the HSE primary care service, or attend a special class for pupils with SSLD, with speech and language therapy services provided in class by the HSE.
Pupils with mild speech and language difficulties may qualify for supplementary teaching support from within the school's special education teaching support. It is a matter for individual schools to use their professional judgement to identify pupils who will receive this support and to use the resources available to the school to intervene at the appropriate level with such pupils.
