Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 February 2012
88 Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills, with regard to section 4(c)(ii) of the Education (Amendment) Bill 2012, the services currently provided that are considered to be health and personal social services within the meaning of the Health Act 2004 and which will no longer be provided under the new legislation. [5858/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Education Act 1998 listed the planning and co-ordination of support services (including speech therapy services) as a function of the Minister for Education and Science. In actual fact speech therapy services are provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) which receives the financial vote for the provision of such services. There are therefore no services currently being provided by my Department which will no longer be provided under the new legislation. Rather, the amendment is necessary to clarify the actual position in relation to the delivery of speech therapy services to students of school going age. The legislative framework will be regularised in accordance with the de facto position, which is that the provision of speech therapy services is a matter for the HSE. The proposed provisions will not impact on the availability through the HSE of speech therapy services for children with special educational needs.
My Department will continue to support the co-ordinated delivery of services to families of children with special educational needs and will continue to work with service providing partners in the health and disability sectors through the interdepartmental Cross-Sectoral Team.
