Health Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 December 2006

Thursday, 7 December 2006

Ceisteanna (124)

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

124 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if and when speech therapy will be offered in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare whose parent brought to the attention of the authorities their need for urgent attention more than two years ago; the steps she proposes to take by way of policy initiative to compel or enable the Health Service Executive make the necessary provision to meet the speech and language therapy requirements of this child or similarly affected children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42206/06]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O’Malley)

As the Deputy may be aware additional funding of €12.5m was provided to the Health Service Executive, in the 2006 Budget, to enhance the level and range of multi-disciplinary support services to adults and children with an intellectual, physical and sensory disability and those with autism, with a priority in 2006 on enhancing the assessment and support services for children with disabilities. The Health Service Executive has also indicated to my Department that their priority in 2006 has been to increase the multi-disciplinary support for children with developmental delay.

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.