671. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of the HSE recruitment embargo impacting the speech therapy unit in school (details supplied) which will result in children waiting 12 months for necessary services; if he is aware of the detrimental impact this will have on early intervention supports; if his Department will seek recruitment of the speech therapists as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25025/24]

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