Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Question 414: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the Release speech and language and communication system which has attained wide acceptance in Ireland since 2005 and is affiliated with leading US universities and speech and language organisations; if she has examined its potential to address and eliminate lengthy waiting lists for intervention at minimal cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29662/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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My Department understands that Release, which was established in Ireland in 2005, is a private, profit making organisation which advertises a holistic approach to communication intervention, incorporating speech and language therapy, early intervention and oral motor therapy to help children combat communication difficulties.

As the Deputy is aware, in Ireland, people with, or parents of children with, speech and language disorder can choose to take a private or public route to attain services. The Department of Health and Children and the HSE aim to provide access to services that are of high quality, oriented towards optimal outcome and are sustainable in the long term. It is considered that these objectives can best be met, in many instances, through the use of multi-disciplinary teams working closely and holistically, in a person centred way, under a HSE governance structure.

The Primary Care Strategy, the Disability Act, 2005 and the HSE Transformation Agenda emphasise the need for team working to achieve maximum outcome. Furthermore, when a person requires intervention from only one profession, best practice would suggest that, in most instances, those professions will be part of the organisation to ensure proper governance. As the Deputy is aware the HSE has autonomy to decide on the most effective way of delivering services which may include the use of external agencies when deemed appropriate.

The Deputy's question also relates to the management and delivery of health and personal 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 case investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Question 415: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the shortage of rheumatologists which has resulted in long waiting lists in excess of two years for the treatment of arthritis and other conditions and the fact that 17% of the population are affected by some form of arthritis; her proposals to address the situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29663/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.