Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 367: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason there are long delays being experienced by children in need and waiting for speech and language facilities; the reason there have not been extra personnel recruited to deal with the current caseload; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33946/06]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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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 multi-disciplinary support services for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy is aware it is a matter for the Health Service Executive, as part of its management of the employment ceiling, to determine the appropriate staffing mix required to deliver it's service plan priorities, including speech and language therapy services. My Department understands that a priority for the HSE in 2006 is to increase service provision in the area of multi-disciplinary supports to meet obligations to children with developmental delay. The investment package will facilitate the recruitment of up to 200 extra therapists, particularly speech and language, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. Due to the current limited supply of these grades it is acknowledged that in the short term recruitment from overseas will be required. The HSE has put in place a project plan for this.

The specific issue of extra personnel raised by the Deputy in his 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.