Speech and language therapy shortages
Deputy Mythen described severe speech and language assessment and therapy backlogs in Wexford and asked for immediate action. The Taoiseach said resources were being allocated, recruitment mattered, and the service model also needed review.
There are over 1,000 children awaiting speech and language assessment in County Wexford. Some 382 children are awaiting initial speech and language therapy in the county and 466 are awaiting further therapy. The stress and strain this puts on these children, their families and therapists on the front line, who are doing their level best to make their way through these long lists, is unimaginable and unacceptable. Monitoring, prioritising and hoping for the best are not working. What are the Government's immediate plans to deal with this situation in County Wexford? What is the plan and what additional resources are being supplied to deal with this urgent issue?
Comment on this
Resources are being and will be allocated to this area. We have had recent meetings with relevant Ministers with responsibility for disability, health and education in my Department, and with the HSE. There are a number of aspects to this. Resources are being allocated and the recruitment of therapists is important, but also models of how the system works and models of operation. It is not just all about resources and we have to examine the manner in which the service is provided.