Speech and Language Therapy Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2016

Tuesday, 12 July 2016

Ceisteanna (40, 103)

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

Ceist:

40. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to reduce waiting times for speech and language therapy. [20960/16]

Mick Wallace

Ceist:

103. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the measures he is taking to reduce waiting lists for children in need of speech and language therapy, which increased by 20% in 2015 alone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20610/16]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 103 together.

I acknowledge to the Deputies that waiting lists for speech and language therapy have been very difficult for families and it is an issue about which I am very concerned.

In this regard, I am happy to advise the Deputies that my Department approved an initiative developed by the HSE to appoint new recurring posts in primary care to address Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) waiting lists in Primary Care and Social Care for 0-18 year olds.

The HSE’s National Service Plan 2016 provides €4 million for this initiative and this additional investment in primary care services will deliver more initial assessments and therapies. This represents a real long-term increase in speech and language capacity that will be maintained into 2017 and beyond at an annualised cost of €4 million.

The HSE National Service Review Group is undertaking a complete review of the current model of service delivery which will inform decisions in relation to the longer term resource allocations.

The National Purchase Treatment Fund (NTPF) sits on the National Service Review Group and has undertaken diagnostic reviews in Dublin North, Kildare West Wicklow and Wexford. An overall report is expected shortly in this regard.

The purpose of the diagnostic reviews is to establish whether (i) waiting list volume returns are complete and accurate and (ii) areas have implemented key internal management practices to manage referrals, demand, capacity and productivity ensuring equitable access to services for clients on waiting lists. Further diagnostic reviews are planned in Dublin West, North Lee, South Lee and Clare over the coming months

I am confident that the €4m investment and the outcome of the diagnostic reviews will have a positive impact on the delivery of speech and language therapy throughout the country.