Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

I thank the Senator for raising this matter. I am informed that the legislative framework will be regularised in accordance with the de facto position, which is that the provision of speech therapy services is a matter for the HSE. That is not to say that my Department is washing its hands of the issue, which I believe is the Senator's concern. The regularisation will take place following consultations between the Departments of Health and Education and Skills. The legislation reflects the operation on the ground.

Speech and language support therapy is and always has been provided by the Health Service Executive to school children who have been assessed as having communications difficulties. This position is already acknowledged by the Oireachtas through the provision of voted moneys to the HSE to deliver such services. As such, the Houses of the Oireachtas are familiar with this ongoing practice and have voted moneys for its delivery. The proposed provisions will not impact on the availability through the HSE of speech therapy services for children with special educational needs. There are no skilled professionals within the Department or the NCSE who would be in a position to provide these services.

This is a de facto recognition in legislation of what has been the practice for some time. The services will be provided through the HSE, as is currently the case. It is not a question of the Department of Education and Skills washing its hands of the situation: it does not have the skilled personnel to deliver the service and it was never the intention that the Department would have those skills. This is a service provided jointly by the Departments of Health and Education and Skills. The legislative framework will be regularised in accordance with the de facto position.