Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 3

Written Answers. - Speech Therapy Service.

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

521 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps, if any, his Department is taking to set up a senior speech and language class in the Mullingar area; if a class will be in operation by September 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12165/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

My Department would be prepared to establish a special class of the type referred to by the Deputy, once it is satisfied that a sufficient number of pupils have been assessed as requiring such a facility and provided the relevant health board is in a position to deliver the necessary speech therapy service.

I understand that no application for such a class has been received by my Department from any school in the Mullingar area. However, I have arranged for my Department's inspectorate to examine the situation to determine if such a need exists. The question of establishing such a class and the timing of any such development will be considered in the light of the inspectorate's report.