499. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the reason a two-year waiting list for an speech and language therapist for children has been allowed to develop; the number of children that are currently waiting for a Speech and Language assessment in HSE Dublin and North East, HSE Dublin and Midlands and HSE Dublin and South-East Regions; the steps her Department are taking to address this backlog; and the number of speech and language therapists currently employed by the HSE in the Clontarf, Kilbarrack, Coolock and Coastal Children's Disability Network Teams. [67792/26]

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