Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I accept Deputy O'Dowd's point about Louth and Meath. We have to ensure there is equality in the distribution of services. It is a point I will go back to the Minister and HSE with. We have to deal with the challenges that exist when recruiting for new positions. In some cases, the successful candidates are HSE staff from elsewhere in the country, so enhancing capacity in one area means a vacancy arising elsewhere. Nonetheless, as indicated, in net terms overall capacity has already been substantially increased and will be added to further in the coming months. It is something I am in further talks about at the moment with regard to the HSE service plan. We have to respond to this.

In the meantime, it is important that while we are trying to address this crisis in our speech and language therapies, we look at a new range of approaches. To keep things on the road, new approaches have been developed and used in many speech and language therapy services. These include providing structures, training and support to parents and carers in order that they can work to help to improve the individual's speech and language. In addition, therapy is delivered in group settings, where appropriate.

The issue of speech and language therapy services has to be dealt with. I will bring back the Deputy's concerns, particularly those on Louth and Meath.

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