Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 303: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; the average time it takes for a child to get access to a speech and language therapist; if she has satisfied herself with this average length of time; and if she has proposals to reduce this waiting list which is unacceptable for many concerned parents. [7155/07]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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Arising from the recommendations of the Bacon Report, which was published in 2001, additional courses in speech and language therapy and occupational therapy were established in UCC, NUIG and UL. These courses provided a further 75 places in each discipline. Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Services Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In this regard, it is a matter for the Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public.

As the Deputy may be aware, a sum of €75m for revenue purposes was provided to the Health Service Executive for Disability Services in the 2007 Budget. This sum incorporates the 2007 element of the Government's multi-annual investment programme for the National Disability Strategy. This Strategy is committed to enhancing the level and range of multi-disciplinary support services to adults and children with an intellectual, physical and sensory disability and those with autism.

As the balance of 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, 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.

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 304: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the assistance her Department can give to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7164/07]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, 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.