172 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Health and Children when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated with an appointment for knee surgery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13343/07]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. Therefore, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular case raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this case investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

173 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children awaiting assessment for speech therapy services; the number of children awaiting such services to be provided; the number of children receiving speech therapy in the southern region of the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13350/07]

The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.