Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the waiting list in the Dunboyne area, County Meath for young people who are waiting access to speech therapy and that the Health Service Executive in May 2007 commenced the process of hiring a second speech therapist for this area but same can not now be proceeded with in view of the embargo upon recruitment recently imposed upon the HSE; and if in the context of a young child (details supplied) in County Meath, steps can be taken to ensure the necessary speech therapy is provided at this point in time. [25270/07]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, an additional 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.

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.