Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a four year delay for school children in County Cork who are being referred for an assessment for speech therapy; her views on whether this is unacceptable; and her proposals in this regard. [11984/07]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy may be aware, a sum of €75 million 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 multidisciplinary support services to adults and children with an intellectual, physical and sensory disability and those with autism.

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.