Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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72. To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether waiting lists for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and psychologists in County Meath are acceptable; if there is a shortage of professionals in these areas; and when a person (details supplied) will receive a psychological appointment. [28175/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I share the Deputy’s concerns about waiting lists for primary care services, but I can assure him that every effort is being made to reduce waiting times and that the available resources are being used to best effect in order to provide assessment and ongoing therapy to those that need it in line with their prioritised needs.

At a national level, funding has been provided for a number of specific initiatives to support development of primary care services. In 2016, €4m was provided for the recruitment of 83 additional full-time speech and language therapists (SLT) and 74 of these posts are now filled.  Also in 2016, €5m was provided for the recruitment of 114 assistant psychologists and 20 staff grade psychology posts and 131 of these staff are now in role. In addition, Budget 2018 included funding for the provision of 40 additional occupational therapy posts from the third quarter of this year. I am aware that County Meath benefitted from the allocation of both SLT and psychologist posts under these initiatives, while the recruitment of occupational therapists will have a geographical spread.

In addition, I understand that the HSE is finalising reports on new national models of therapy provision that should also help to improve access to services. 

To provide further information on service levels in County Meath and to respond to the question concerning the named individual, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.