Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 486: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if all special schools in the Dublin area have access to a full time or part time speech and language teacher; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41342/06]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 487: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of the special schools in the Dublin area that have been granted a part time or full time speech and language teacher by the Health Service Executive, that have been unable to fill such a post due to difficulties in recruitment; her views on allowing such schools to employ speech and language teachers directly through her Department as against the current system which is organised by the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41343/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 487 together.

I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to speech and language therapists rather than teachers.

My Department does not have details of the levels of therapy supports available to special schools as this is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE) which is funded for this purpose. I have no plans to employ speech and language therapists through my Department.

There are currently 59 special classes for children with specific speech and language disorder operating in primary schools nationwide. In the greater Dublin area there are 8 special classes for children with this disorder. The pupil teacher ratio for each class is 7:1 and the children in the class have access to a speech and language therapist who is funded by the HSE.