Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 8 May 1991

Vol. 408 No. 1

Written Answers. - Speech Therapy.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

150 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if he will outline in respect of each of the past three years (i) the number of children who have received speech therapy at the Children's Hospital, Temple Street and (ii) the number of whole time equivalent speech therapists employed; and if he will make a statement on the effects on service of the recent reduction in speech therapists available to the hospital.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

The number of children who have received speech therapy at Temple Street Hospital for the past three years are:

	New Patient Attendances	Return Attendances
1988	123	2,133
1989	106	1,615
1990	172	2,220

During this period, the hospital had 2.5 wholetime equivalent speech therapists employed. At present, two wholetime equivalent speech therapists are employed.

Since January, a part-time post has been vacant and this has resulted in the number of new attendances being temporarily affected. Arrangements are in train to fill this post which has recently been advertised.