Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 Nov 1994

Vol. 447 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Speech and Language Therapist.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

294 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the need for a full-time speech and language therapist in the Beara Peninsula in County Cork; if he will ensure that such a person is appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3093/94]

Minister for Health (Mr. Howlin)

The employment of speech therapists is the responsibility of the Southern Health Board in the first instance.

The Southern Health Board currently employs 13 speech and language therapists, including two speech therapist posts approved in 1993. A further two speech and language therapists will be appointed within the next month, of whom one will be in the Cork City and South Cork Community Care area.

In the West Cork Community Care area, clinics are held in Skibbereen, Bantry and Clonakilty and two sessions per week are provided in Castletownbere. A senior speech therapist was appointed recently to West Cork to provide a service which hitherto was administered from Cork city. The specific needs of the area are being reviewed by the board in the context of a development plan for the speech and language therapy services which is currently being prepared.