Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are a number of actions under way to respond to this. First, there is the provision of speech and language therapy through the school system for the first time which we hope will make a big difference. We believe it may turn out to be a better system and a better way to provide speech and language therapy doing it through the education system as well as through the health service.

There is increased funding in the HSE service plan of €2.5 million, which will provide for 100 new therapy posts. It is hoped that will make a difference for Deputy Crowe's constituents and for mine. We are aware from bitter experience that adding additional staff does not necessarily mean any improvement in waiting times and we will need to make sure that the referral systems are appropriate as well.

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