Speech and Language Therapy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 November 2020

Thursday, 5 November 2020

Questions (225, 226, 227, 228)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

225. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for a first assessment for speech and language therapy at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; the number waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months for each local health office area in tabular form. [34263/20]

Cathal Crowe

Question:

226. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for initial speech and language therapy at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; the number waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months for each local health office area in tabular form. [34264/20]

Cathal Crowe

Question:

227. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for further speech and language therapy at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; the number waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months for each local health office area in tabular form. [34265/20]

Cathal Crowe

Question:

228. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age waiting for occupational therapy at the end of October 2020 or the latest date available; the number waiting less than four, four to 12 and more than 12 months for each local health office area in tabular form. [34266/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 225, 226, 227 and 228 together.

The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.

The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.

As these questions relate to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.