Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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177. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the case of a five-year-old profoundly deaf child (details supplied) who has been waiting for over four years for a speech and language therapist. [12180/21]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.

The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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178. To ask the Minister for Health the number of speech and language therapists employed by the HSE who have Irish sign language; and if a list of the areas they work in will be provided. [12181/21]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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179. To ask the Minister for Health the number of speech and language therapists employed by the HSE who had Irish sign language in the past five years; and if a list of the areas they work in will be provided. [12182/21]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 179 together.

The Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.

The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.