Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 136: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the action she is taking to increase the number of occupational therapists and speech and language therapists available to meet the needs of children with autism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15487/06]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am advised that clinical therapies can make a significant contribution to children with developmental delay, including children on the autistic spectrum disorder. Commitment to developing therapy services has been demonstrated in the growth in staff numbers in occupational therapy and speech and language therapy over the last five years. The current total of 759 in occupational therapy and 548 in speech and language therapy, according to the employment census of September 2005, represents a 44% and 37% growth rate in the two services respectively since 2001.

In 2001, the Government significantly increased the number of training places for occupational therapy and speech and language therapy from 40 and 30 respectively to 115 and 105. I understand that arising from this increase there will be a substantial increase in the number of graduate therapists from 2007 onwards. As part of the investment package for disability services for 2006, a sum of €12.5 million was made available to the Health Service Executive to enhance the multidisciplinary support services for people with disabilities. This will facilitate the recruitment of a substantial number of additional speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. Furthermore, I understand that the Health Service Executive has embarked on an international recruitment drive to meet current vacancies in addition to the extra posts created in 2006 arising from the investment package.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 137: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the necessary services for assessment and initiation of methadone treatment will be provided in the former southern health board; when the follow up treatment services for drug users in the former southern health board area will be provided; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that patients have to travel to Cork or Dublin to get this service on a weekly or twice weekly basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15450/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.