Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State might recall a few weeks ago when we debated the cross-party disability motion that I mentioned this issue, but I raise it again today because there is a serious problem with assessments in general in Carlow-Kilkenny. It relates specifically to appointments for speech and language therapy, although there are also issues with occupational therapy.

Speech and language therapy assessments are separated into two categories. Currently, 929 children in Carlow-Kilkenny are awaiting an appointment for speech and language therapy, while there are 137 children on the list who are classified in the disability category. That is more than 1,000 children waiting just for an appointment for speech and language therapy. In the past week, I happened to receive responses to two parliamentary questions I had tabled about two specific cases relating to occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. Both responses predicted that the appointments would be made in October 2021. This is for children who have spent approximately a year on the waiting list, and given that November has just begun, that is almost a full year away. It is heartbreaking to have to go back to parents with that information. There are so many people who cannot afford to access private services and it is just not an option. They are watching their children's condition deteriorate. Particularly in a child's first few years of school, it is crucial as he or she can be set back so many years. The difference that a number of appointments with a speech and language therapist could make is invaluable.

I was surprised that the numbers are as high as they are, even though I knew from people having contacted me that there was an issue. While it is a number of more than 1,000 on a page, that is more than 1,000 children who are suffering as a result. Some have waited 12 months for an assessment and then it turns out to be a wait of two and a half years for therapy. This will have a detrimental effect on them. I urge the Minister of State to examine the circumstances, especially in Carlow-Kilkenny, of the assessment waiting time for speech and language therapy. Something needs to be done. There are six speech and language therapists and five occupational therapists in Kilkenny, and they cover two large counties, with a rural and urban mix. It is not doable and more therapists need to be put in place. While some people will say it is because of Covid-19, this was an issue before that, as the Minister of State will be aware, because she was active on this issue when she was on this side of the House. It is great that she is in that junior Ministry and I hope she will take this on board. I acknowledge she has committed additional moneys, but there is an issue and the only way to resolve it is by recruiting more speech and language therapists and occupational therapists to deal with the assessments and appointments.

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