Vol. 536 No. 5
223 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the shortfall in the number of qualified teachers available for speech and language therapy and other special needs; if he will introduce a crash programme so that this most deprived section in the education system gets proper attention; and if he will make a statement on the contents of a letter (details supplied) in this regard. [9596/01]
The provision of services is a matter for the management of the South-Eastern Health Board. I have written to the chief executive officer informing him of the concerns expressed by the parents support group.
I am aware of the situation regarding staff shortages in speech and language therapy. I have taken a number of steps to deal with the difficulty, including the commissioning of a workforce planning study by Dr. Peter Bacon and Associates, which will be published shortly, and increasing the number of student places in the therapy schools. As an interim measure, following discussions with the Department of Education and Science and the Higher Education Authority, the number of student places for speech and language therapy was increased by eight, from October 2000. Unfortunately, the capacity of the colleges does not allow for any further expansion in the number of places. However, I am confident that a substantial number of additional training places will be provided as a result of the report by Dr. Bacon.
