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06/05/2008
Speech Therapy Waiting Times Slammed
New figures show the average waiting time for children to receive speech and language services in Dublin is currently a shocking 18 months.
Statistics given to Fine Gael Education Spokesman Brian Hayes also revealed that 4,136 children are on the waiting list for these services.
He said these waiting times were completely unacceptable adding the figures show there is a massive disparity in average waiting times between areas across the city.
The minister said: "That even one child has to wait such an outrageous time for these vital services is a disgrace but that this Fianna Fáil Government has left over 4,000 children languishing for an average of a year and a half to access speech and language is indefensible.
"In fact the situation is getting worse year by year. Average waiting times in Dublin have actually doubled since 2004 with certain areas really suffering: Children in Dublin South and in Dublin North West are now waiting an average of three times longer for services than they were three years previously."
The figures also show children in Dublin west have to wait a massive 32 months for access to speech and language therapy services.
He said a Government pledge that any child under five waiting more than three months for therapy could be dealt with by the National Treatment Purchase Fund had not been implemented.
Mr Hayes said responsibility for speech and language services should be shifted from the HSE to the Department of Education.
(DW)
Statistics given to Fine Gael Education Spokesman Brian Hayes also revealed that 4,136 children are on the waiting list for these services.
He said these waiting times were completely unacceptable adding the figures show there is a massive disparity in average waiting times between areas across the city.
The minister said: "That even one child has to wait such an outrageous time for these vital services is a disgrace but that this Fianna Fáil Government has left over 4,000 children languishing for an average of a year and a half to access speech and language is indefensible.
"In fact the situation is getting worse year by year. Average waiting times in Dublin have actually doubled since 2004 with certain areas really suffering: Children in Dublin South and in Dublin North West are now waiting an average of three times longer for services than they were three years previously."
The figures also show children in Dublin west have to wait a massive 32 months for access to speech and language therapy services.
He said a Government pledge that any child under five waiting more than three months for therapy could be dealt with by the National Treatment Purchase Fund had not been implemented.
Mr Hayes said responsibility for speech and language services should be shifted from the HSE to the Department of Education.
(DW)
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