68 Ms Fox asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a decision to suspend speech and language therapy assessments until 2006 at the earliest has been issued from Greystones clinic as a result of an accommodation problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8785/05]

The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the provision of speech and language therapy, for people with a physical and-or sensory disability. Accordingly, my Department has requested the chief officer of the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matters raised and reply to the Deputy.