Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2015
841. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of qualified speech therapists who are working in primary schools or offering therapy on site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20053/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra842. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of qualified speech therapists who are working in secondary schools or offering therapy on site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20054/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra843. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of qualified occupational therapists who are working in primary schools or offering therapy on site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20055/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra844. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of qualified occupational therapists who are working in secondary schools or offering therapy on site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20056/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take questions 841 to 844, inclusive, together. I wish to advise the Deputy that the availability and provision of health-related services, including speech and language and occupational therapy supports, is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive.
The Health Service Executive, which has statutory responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services, is currently engaged in a reconfiguration of existing health related therapy resources for children with disabilities, to multi-disciplinary geographically based teams as part of its National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years).
This Programme is based on the recommendations of the Report of the National Reference Group on Multidisciplinary Services for Children aged 5-18 Years, which was produced by representatives of the professions and management involved in delivering multi-disciplinary services to children.
The Programme aims to bring about equity and consistency, with a clear pathway for children with disabilities and their families to services, regardless of where they live, what school they go to or the nature of the child's difficulties. The Programme is a key priority for the Executive's Social Care Directorate in 2015.
An additional €4 million was specifically allocated in 2014 to drive implementation of the Programme. This equates to approximately 80 therapy posts. A further additional €4m (full year cost of €6m) has been allocated this year to assist in implementing the Programme.
Matters in relation to the provision of health-related services should be directed to the Health Service Executive as the body with responsibility for the provision of such services.
