asked the Minister for Health the number of children at present availing themselves of speech therapy in the Eastern Health Board area; the percentage of these who reside north of the Liffey; the number of speech therapists at present employed (i) within the Eastern Health Board area; (ii) the Mater Hospital and (iii) St. Paul's Autistic School, Beaumont, Dublin; the follow-up facilities that are available to children who need additional speech therapy having left the schools provided for that purpose; the number of children in areas 1 to 8 of the Eastern Health Board region that are in need of speech therapy; and if his Department is aware that there are children in need of speech therapy who have not been able to avail themselves of facilities to date.
Written Answers. - Speech Therapy.
399.
The detailed information sought in this question relating to patient numbers is not available.
The number of speech therapists employed by the Eastern Health Board is 23, including six employed on a sessional basis, and by the Mater Hospital and St. Paul's Autistic School, Beaumont, six, including two employed on a sessional basis.
While there have been no complaints from individuals, information is being sought on the needs but will take some time to assemble.