Eamon Scanlon (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On page 5 of the programme for Government a commitment is given to equality of opportunity. It says that we will support those with disabilities and maintain their potential by removing barriers which impact access to services, education, work and healthcare. St. Cecilia's school in Sligo, situated at Cregg House, is a school for very special children with very special needs. It is a special school with very special staff. At the moment one speech and language therapist is dealing with 44 children, aged between five and 18, as well as 100 people living in residential care. A behavioural therapist who was situated in the school left earlier this year and has still not been replaced.

The Taoiseach, as a medical doctor himself, knows the benefit of early access for children and adults to speech and language therapy and the difference it can make to future opportunities in life. Parents are concerned. The service is not up to speed in terms of what these children need and I ask the Taoiseach to use his good office to ensure that a second speech therapist is put in place, along with a behavioural therapist.

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