Special Educational Needs.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 December 2005

Tuesday, 6 December 2005

Ceisteanna (436)

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

485 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway has been receiving five hours resource teaching per week but has been denied speech and language therapy which is deemed to be the central part of their individual education programme; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the lack of such therapy is likely to have a negative impact on their placement once they leave the local national school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38071/05]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Education and Science (Ms Hanafin)

As the Deputy will be aware, the provision of therapy services for people with disabilities, including speech therapy, is a matter for the Health Services Executive, HSE, and funding is provided to the HSE for such purposes. In the circumstances, the provision of speech and language therapy to the person referred to by the Deputy should be raised with the local HSE office.