Speech and language therapy backlog as staff still deployed to tackle Covid-19

The pandemic has caused delays for clients seeking the services of speech and language therapists.

The body representing speech and language therapists has warned of lengthening waiting lists faced by children and others who need their services, due to the ongoing impact of redeployment to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.

Figures provided in response to a parliamentary question from Michael Moynihan TD show that, of a total staff complement of 1,139 speech and language therapists, 16 had been seconded to contact-tracing, and another 179 were working in test centres as of September 18.