Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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701. To ask the Minister for Health the number of children that have been assessed and approved for speech and language therapy in each county; the average waiting time for treatment in each county due to the importance of early intervention; his plans to appoint additional therapists to ensure that all children are treated in a timely fashion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1726/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Government is committed to the development of both Primary Care and Disability Services, including improved access to Speech and Language Therapy services. Additional funding of €20m was allocated in 2013 to strengthen Primary Care services and to support the recruitment of prioritised front-line posts. As part of this initiative, the HSE commenced recruitment last year of over 260 additional posts for Primary Care Teams, which included 52 Speech and Language Therapists. All of these Speech and Language Therapy posts have been filled. This will help to significantly address waiting times for such services.

In relation to services for children with disabilities, the re-configuration of children’s disability services into geographically-based teams as part of the HSE’s National Programme on Progressing Disability Services for Children and Young People (0-18 years) will ensure a more equitable delivery of services. An additional €4 million was specifically allocated in 2014 to drive implementation of the Programme. This equates to approximately 80 therapy posts, of which 31 are Speech and Language Therapy posts. Further investment of €4 million will also be made to support the development of therapy services in 2015 (equating to €6m in a full year). The HSE is currently considering the breakdown of the posts involved. However, it is expected that this will include a number of Speech and Language Therapy posts.

Information in relation to the other aspects of the Deputy's question is not routinely available in my Department; therefore, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to reply directly to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.