Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her Department will consider providing additional speech therapy services to persons with learning difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18546/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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Demand for speech and language therapists was recognised in the Bacon report in 2002 where it was recommended that training places for speech and language therapists increase from 25 per year to 105 per year. In order to address the shortfall in supply, three new schools of speech and language therapy were opened in 2003, in the National University of Ireland in Galway and Cork and the University of Limerick. In addition, the numbers of training places in Trinity College, Dublin were increased.

I look forward to the end of this academic year when we will see the first graduates of these new courses, students who undertook an accelerated two year masters programme in University of Limerick and to 2007 when we will see the graduates from the traditional degree programme from the universities in Cork and Galway.

To meet the current demand for speech and language therapists, we rely heavily on the return of students who have studied abroad and also on an EU and non-EU work force. It is estimated that 20% of the current speech and language therapy work force comes from abroad.

In 2002 an additional grade of clinical specialist was introduced to speech and language therapy. This additional grade has many objectives including ensuring best practice and research in the profession. It is intended to review and develop this beneficial grade in the near future.

The Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists has embraced the Sustaining Progress agenda and has produced a position paper for the introduction of programme assistants to the profession. It is believed that this skill mix will ensure the best use of scarce and valuable resources. I look forward to the establishment of this grade and a training programme for such programme assistants.

Despite the significant developments in speech and language therapy to date, it is widely accepted that there is further need to substantially enhance the numbers employed in the health and education sectors. Long waiting lists for services must become a feature of the past. The recently announced investment in the disability sector will be a significant step in moving towards a situation where those in need of this essential service receive it.

The national disability strategy provides a framework of positive action measures to support participation by people with disabilities in society. The strategy consists of four elements: the Disability Bill 2004; the Comhairle (Amendment) Bill 2004; six outline sectoral plans; and a commitment to a multi-annual investment.

The strategic review of services being undertaken by my Department is examining the significant level of service provision already in place, focusing on specific issues of concern to people with disabilities and their families and carers, together with statutory and voluntary bodies in this area, with an opportunity to input into the planning and delivery of services over the coming years.

The Government announced on budget day a special disability multi-annual funding package with a total value of close to €900 million over the years 2006 to 2009, which includes an allocation of €300 million out of the revised capital envelope to high-priority disability services. The amounts allocated for 2005 are €70.39 million and €34 million in respect of revenue and capital funding respectively.

In order to ensure that the various elements of this additional funding are targeted to meet the priority needs which have been agreed and, in particular, to meet the needs of those who are not currently in receipt of vital elements of service provision, a protocol has been developed by my Department with the Health Service Executive to facilitate the monitoring of the specific investment programme in disability services under the national disability strategy.

The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for speech and language therapy. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Health Service Executive's national director for primary, community and continuing care to investigate the matter raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.