asked the Minister for Health the number of speech therapists who are employed by his Department; the number who are available to schools; the location of the schools to which speech therapists are available; and the process by which a pupil can be referred to a speech therapist.
Written Answers. - Speech Therapy.
155.
Speech therapists are not employed directly by my Department. They are employed by health boards, hospitals and voluntary organisations.
The position at 31 December 1988 was that there were 83 speech therapists employed by the health boards. In addition, there were 48 employed by hospitals and mental handicap organisations. Some speech therapy services are also provided by voluntary organisations for the physically handicapped.
School children may be referred by their own general practitioner, by health board medical personnel or from school health examinations. The position in relation to the availability of speech therapy at schools or at other locations in any particular area may be ascertained from the local health board director of community care.
156.
asked the Minister for Health the level of speech therapy currently provided at St. Michael's School in Ballymun, Dublin 11; and whether he has plans to improve the level.
St. Michael's House have approval for one basic and two senior grade speech therapists. In addition, they employ a sessional speech therapist. One of the speech therapist posts is vacant and the agency have been unsuccessful in their attempts to fill it. The assignment of therapists to individual centres within the organisation is a matter for the management of St. Michael's House.
Any request from St. Michael's House for additional speech therapists will be considered as sympathetically as possible in the light of the funds available in 1990.