Speech Therapy (Hansard, 18 May 2004)

§ Mr. Hume
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average expenditure on speech therapy services per head of population in the primary and pre-primary school age group in each of the health trust areas in Northern Ireland was in the latest period for which figures are available. [173879]

§ Angela Smith
The information requested is not available.

§ Mr. Hume
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average waiting time for speech therapy services for children in the primary and pre-primary school age group in each of the health trust areas in Northern Ireland was in the latest period for which figures are available. [173880]

§ Angela Smith
Information on average waiting times for speech therapy services for children is not collected centrally.

§ Mr. Hume
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many primary and pre-primary school children are awaiting speech therapy services in each of the health trust areas in Northern Ireland. [173881]

§ Angela Smith
Information on the number of children awaiting speech therapy services is not collected centrally.

§ Mr. Hume
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the per capita expenditure on speech therapy services in special schools in each of the health trust areas in Northern Ireland was in the latest period for which figures are available. [173882]

§ Angela Smith
The information is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

§ Mr. Hume
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average speech therapy provision was in terms of time per child in special schools in each of the health trust areas in Northern Ireland in the latest period for which figures are available. [173883]

§ Angela Smith
The information is not available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

§ Mr. Hume
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the ability of the health trusts in Northern Ireland to recruit and retain speech therapists. [173884]

§ Angela Smith
In a survey of speech and language therapists conducted by the Department, at 30 September 2003 there was only one long-term vacancy. However, the Department has completed a workforce planning report on the speech and language therapy workforce and its findings indicate that there is a projected shortfall over the next five years. The946W Department is considering how best to deal with this shortfall, including initiatives to address recruitment and retention issues. As an interim measure, additional funding was provided to increase by 10 the number of student places for speech and language therapy with effect from the 2001/02 academic year and by a further five places from 2002/03. These increased intake levels are being maintained and there are 140 students in training during the current academic year.