Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 16 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 6

Written Answers - Speech Therapy Services.

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

145 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of speech therapists available to schools in Dublin north; the schools in which speech therapists are based; the schools in Dublin north served by speech therapists; the number of schools not served by speech therapists; and the plans and timescale, if any, he has to ensure all schools have the services of a speech therapist for a meaningful period of time each week. [16768/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

Speech therapy services form part of the special support package made available to pupils attending special classes for children with speech and language disorders. The services in question are provided through the relevant health board.

There are currently 32 such classes in place nationwide and each has the support of a speech therapy service. Each class operates at a maximum pupil teacher ratio of 7:1. There are two such classes at present in the Dublin north area. These classes are located at St. Patrick's primary school, Drumcondra. Each has been allocated the services of a speech therapist. I understand that the speech therapist serving one of these classes recently left the service. The school authorities are in consultation with the Eastern Health Board regarding the appointment of a replacement.

My Department is currently considering the establishment of a third such class on the north side of Dublin. As part of this process, my Department is in discussion with the Eastern Health Board regarding the provision of the necessary speech therapy services.

Speech therapy services are not required by all primary schools. Decisions as to the location of classes and the delivery of speech therapy services are dictated by the level of assessed need in particular areas.

The report of the Special Education Review Committee estimated that 0.2 per cent of children attending primary schools have been assessed as having speech and language disorder and recommended the continued provision of special classes to cater for such children.

My Department keeps the need for such classes under ongoing review and will establish further classes where an assessed need has been identified.

Gay Mitchell

Ceist:

146 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will ensure that a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 is immediately admitted to a school with a speech therapist within reasonable reach of his home in view of the strong school and medical evidence supplied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16769/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

The case to which the Deputy refers has recently been brought to the attention of my Department.

I have requested my Department's Inspectorate to investigate this matter with a view to ensuring that suitable provision is made for the child in question as soon as possible.