Mary Flaherty
Ceist:63 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has for the improvement of speech therapy services which are seriously inadequate nationally and especially so in the Eastern Health Board area.
Written Answers. - Speech Therapy Service.
Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:131 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the inadequate speech therapy and total lack of language therapy facilities in south-west Cork; his views on whether it is both essential and urgent that this deficiency be remedied; and if he has any plans to ensure that this is done without delay.
Proinsias De Rossa
Ceist:141 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Health the numbers on the waiting lists in Eastern Health Board community care areas 6 and 7 for speech therapy; the comparative numbers at the same time in 1992; the steps, if any, which are being taken to reduce waiting lists, particularly among young children; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:145 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to the delay for young children starting school in gaining access to speech therapy; the average waiting time in each health board; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:146 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is at least 18 months waiting time for children entering primary school identified as being in need of speech therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 63, 131, 141, 145 and 146 together.
I am aware that there are wide variations in the availability of speech therapy services in different parts of the country. However, it is not possible to specify an average waiting time for each health board as waiting times vary depending on the priority afforded to different categories of clients e.g. young children, stroke victims, motor neurone and multiple sclerosis sufferers) and on the staffing levels in particular Community Care Areas.
I will be making available additional funding this year for the development of services for people with physical and sensory disabilities and it is my intention that a proportion of this will be devoted to improving and expanding community based therapy services, including speech therapy.
With regard to speech therapy services in the Eastern Health Board area, the Board recruited nine additional speech therapists in 1992 and an additional two speech therapists have been recruited so far this year. Arrangements are also being made to hold interviews to recruit additional staff which should considerably reduce the waiting period for speech therapy services.
As far as the Southern Health Board is concerned, my Department has recently received an application from the Board for the appointment of six additional speech therapists and this is being examined in the context of other applications for staff improvements submitted by the Board.
One of the reasons for the delays in the provision of speech therapy services is the inadequate numbers of trained speech therapists. My Department has taken steps to remedy the situation by arranging for six extra training places to be provided at the School of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, at Trinity College Dublin, commencing in the current academic year. The total student body will increase in phases from 80 students this year to 104 students in 1995/96. I am confident that the increased level of graduate output resulting from this important development will considerably ease difficulties in the area of speech and language therapy.
Officials of my Department have had discussions with the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists and have provided assistance towards the preparation by the Association of a Review Document on speech and language services throughout the country. This document is currently being finalised by the Association and I hope that it will be of assistance to me in bringing about further improvements in the service.