Speech and language therapy in schools
Deputy Nolan asked about the review of speech and language therapy waiting lists and the new school-based model. The Minister for Education and Skills said work was under way, including a new resource-teacher model and collaboration with the HSE.
The programme for Government refers to the establishment of a new model for speech and language therapy in our schools. It also commits to a review of the variations in waiting lists for speech and language therapy across the country. Figures released by the HSE show that over 300 children have been waiting over a year for an initial assessment, while 1,100 have been waiting a year for initial therapy. Has the review of the variations in the waiting lists commenced and can I have an update on the new model for speech and language therapy in schools? Also, how many speech and language therapists have been appointed since the Government took office?
Comment on this
We are working on a series of improvements for children with special needs.
We just rolled out a new model for the allocation of resource teachers, which will involve 900 additional resource teachers being provided for children in schools.
We are working with the HSE to evolve a model for speech and language from within the school system. It is a commitment for our programme for Government we are working to develop over the period of Government.