Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State has just told me how excellent the school inclusion model is. The reason I asked for the CHO 1 region, comprising Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan, to be included in the next phase of the pilot scheme is the unbelievable situation in the Sligo-Leitrim area regarding children who are awaiting initial assessment, treatment and further speech and language therapy. It is not just unacceptably high, it is far beyond the limits of what any health service could defend.

I submitted a parliamentary question in April this year and was informed that, in Sligo-Leitrim, there are currently 385 children awaiting initial assessment, 84 awaiting initial therapy and 444 awaiting further treatment with the speech and language therapy service. Those figures are unacceptable and that is why I am asking for the inclusion of CHO 1.

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