Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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143. To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the HSE’s engagement with the introduction of a new in-school speech and language service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16848/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The Programme for a Partnership Government commits that a new model of In-School Speech and Language Therapy will be established. 

Budget 2018 provided an additional €2m to introduce a demonstration project for in-school Therapy services in 2018.

It is intended that the project should commence in schools from September 2018 and proceed over the course of the 2018/19 school year.

The demonstration project will develop and test a model for the delivery of in-school speech and language and occupational therapy support, in a defined regional area, across a range of schools, in conjunction with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and supplementing existing HSE therapy services.

The demonstration model will focus on developing greater linkages between educational and therapy supports.

An Interdepartmental Working Group, including representatives from the National Council for Special Education, the Department of Education, the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive, and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, has been appointed to develop the pilot/demonstration model for In-school Therapy Services.

Further details will be announced in relation to the project in the near future.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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144. To ask the Minister for Health if the review into existing speech and language therapy from 2018 has been carried out; and if so, if the findings and recommendations have been finalised. [16849/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.