Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 931: To ask the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the waiting lists for speech and language therapy for children here; if he has had any discussions with the Health Service Executive regarding these waiting lists; his plans to reduce these lists as quickly as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1071/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Any child that presents to the HSE's Speech and Language Therapy Service has an initial assessment to determine their individual need for therapy. The therapist in conjunction with the parent(s) or carer will determine the severity of the child's difficulties and prioritise them for therapy accordingly. The level of intervention is in line with clinical policy, age and severity of the presenting need. The waiting period for intervention is dependent on the nature and severity of the need following assessment.

The HSE aims to ensure that the resources available are used to best effect, in order to provide assessment and ongoing therapy to children and adults in line with their prioritised needs. Along with the significant investment in the area of speech and language therapists employed in recent years, a range of new approaches have been developed and are used in many Speech and Language Therapy services across the country. These include providing structures, training and support to parents /carers so that they can work to help improve the individual's speech and language. In addition, therapy is delivered in group settings where appropriate.

Speech and Language Therapy services for children with disabilities have been developed by individual service providers or former Health Boards over time and reflect the individual experience and expertise of providers in meeting local needs. This has led to variations in the way services are configured and, in relation to the provision of supports for children with disabilities, the HSE has recognised the need to enhance the level of consistency and standardisation in the way both early intervention services and services for school-aged children with disabilities are delivered.

The reconfiguration of existing therapy resources to geographic based teams for children and young people has been identified as a priority and was a 'Key Result Area' in the HSE's National Service Plan 2011. National, regional and local level structures are being put in place to progress this initiative, which will have a positive impact on the provision of clinical services and supports for children with disabilities, including those with Speech and Language difficulties. The HSE manages the demand on its services in accordance with the level of resources available and the priority needs identified in each area.