Lack of speech and language services for school children in east Mayo

THE lack of speech and language services for primary school children in east Mayo was highlighted at a HSE West Forum meeting.

Councillor Alma Gallagher said there is significant pressure on the county’s two designated speech and language units in Ballina and Castlebar addressing the needs of only seven children in each unit.

Each unit, she said, serves a broad age range, accommodating children from junior to first class in a single classroom, which complicates tailored interventions for their varying needs. Moreover, the duration of support is limited to a two-year cycle, after which children must reintegrate into mainstream education.

The situation has been exacerbated by a reduction in service provision to two and a half days a week, further limiting access to essential speech and language intervention.

The HSE confirmed to Councillor Gallagher that the language classes are run by the Department of Education and Youth. The HSE funds the speech and language post. A transport service is also funded by the Department of Education and Youth to bring children to the school.

However, Councillor Gallagher pointed out that those children in east Mayo who are fortunate to secure a place in Ballina or Castlebar face significant geographical disadvantages.

“For instance, children as young as five are required to take an organised shuttle bus as early as 7.30 a.m., not returning until as late as 5 p.m. This results in incredibly long days for very young children where the stress often leads to anxiety and trauma,’’she said.

“Parents have reported that they have had to make the difficult choices, such as giving up their jobs, to ensure their children are accommodated and transported to these facilities.

The numbers of children whose needs are not meet in the existing units are sufficient to justify the opening of a third unit based in east Mayo, added Councillor Gallagher, who said it is essential that children in east Mayo have equitable access to educational and developmental services.

The HSE highlighted that children who do not secure a place at the units in Ballina and Castlebar can access services through their local primary health care centre, where they are categorised as priority and receive blocks of therapy. Speech and language therapists also liaise with schools to ensure that therapy goals align with the curriculum. However, this is a temporary intervention that does not address the underlying issue of limited places in specialised units.

The reality, said Councillor Gallagher, is that many children in need of essential services have no access to a primary health care centre. Furthermore, teachers in the Republic of Ireland are not specialised in speech and language therapy. Many children requiring these services are non- disruptive and often go unnoticed in traditional classroom settings.

“A serious step change is needed for the provision of educational services for the children of east Mayo.

“An additional autism unit was not opened as promised in Ballyhaunis, leaving many families stranded this September.

“I will continue to raise these issues with Minister McEntee and work with the HSE to seek practical solutions,” said Councillor Gallagher.