Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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258. To ask the Minister for Health the details of the planned expenditure in 2018 of €2 million on a new pilot scheme for in-school speech and language therapists; the locations this money will be targeted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47618/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The Programme for a Partnership Government commits that a new in-school speech and language service will be established to support young children as part of a more integrated support system.

The Health Service Executive undertook an extensive review of existing Speech and Language therapy provision earlier this year and the findings and recommendations of that review, which is based on best international practice will inform the development of a new model for delivery.

It has been shown across the OECD as the most effective way of managing and intervening with the educational and social issues consequential to speech and language difficulties in children.

Teachers and SLTs have different, but complementary, skills in developing children’s language and learning. SLTs are trained to take a linguistically analytical approach to language while teachers’ knowledge and skills relate to literacy, curriculum and teaching practice. These different but complementary skills and knowledge would support the language, literacy, communication and learning needs of students, especially students with or at risk of Speech & Language Complex Needs.

A joint working group, made up of The Department of Health, The Department of Education and Skills, The Health Service Executive and The National Council for Special Education, has been established to develop the proposed model. When finalised, the proposed model will represent a significant change in the way in which services are delivered. Work is currently underway to develop an initial demonstration project with a view to its implementation in 2018. The locations for this project are being determined as part of this process.