Donal Carey
Ceist:320 Mr. D. Carey asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received an application from the Mid-Western Health Board for the appointment of speech therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16769/01]
Written Answers. - Speech Therapy Service.
In Circular No. 154/2000, dated 13 December 2000, the chief executive officers of the Eastern Regional Health Authority, the health boards and all direct funded voluntary agencies were informed that with effect from 2001 onwards, all additional personnel, including speech and language therapists, to be recruited during each coming year were to be identified in their service plans which are submitted to my Department at the beginning of that year. All additional posts are to be funded in the context of development moneys allocated by my Department. In accepting these plans, my Department automatically accepts the appointment of the additional posts identified in the plans.
This year my Department identified ongoing revenue funding totalling £12 million, rising to £24 million in the year 2002, for the development of services to people with physical and sensory disabilities. Of this £2 million was identified for the development of therapy services throughout the country. The Mid-Western Health Board was allocated £160,000, rising to £320,000 in 2002, for the development of its therapy services.
I am unaware of any further submissions being made to this Department for the allocation of further speech and language posts from the Mid-Western Health Board nor is it appropriate that such submissions are made subsequent to the acceptance of the board's service plan.