Speech and language therapy services

Information

The public health service in Ireland may provide a speech and language therapy service to people in Ireland with communication difficulties. These services may be provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE) and delivered by specialists in communication disorders.

Specialists in communication disorders are called 'speech and language therapists'. Speech and language therapists assess, diagnose, and treat people with communication difficulties in a wide variety of settings including local health centres, hospitals and schools. Therapy services help people with speech, language, fluency, voice and swallowing difficulties.

Thousands of people in Ireland fail to access education, social, economic and career opportunities due to communication difficulties or one kind or another. Therapy services help people to maximize their communication potential and offer assistance with daily living.

Rules

Speech and language therapy services may be made available through Local Health Offices of the HSE or voluntary organisations on contract to the HSE to people with communication difficulties.

Public health speech and language therapy services are free and, in most areas, priority is given to children. The service may be provided in schools or in health centres or clinics.

Adults may also avail of speech and language therapy services if referred by their family doctor (GP), public health nurse or as part of combined care provided in public hospitals but only if the service is provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE). Priority is given to you as an adult if you have a speech and language disability that has been caused by a stroke, accident or a progressive neurological disorder.

Tax relief and speech and language therapy services

You may be able to claim tax relief for medical expenses and costs incurred for speech and language therapy carried out by a speech and language therapist who has been approved by the Minister for Health and Children for a qualifying child. Further information about how to claim tax relief for medical expenses is outlined in our document on Taxation and Medical Expenses.

Rates

If you avail of speech and language therapy services through the public health service, these services are free of charge. If you choose to avail of services privately, you will be required to pay for this service. However, you may be able to obtain tax relief as outlined above.

How to apply

You can be referred for speech and language therapy by your GP or public health nurse. Contact your Local Health Office for information on services in your area.

Where to apply

Your Local Health Office.

The following voluntary and professional organisations can give you advice and information on speech and language therapy services in Ireland.

The Volunteer Stroke Scheme is a scheme that helps people who have developed communication disorders as a result of experiencing stroke and their families.

The Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT) is the professional body working at national and international level to ensure professional standards in speech and language therapy are maintained. They provide some useful factsheets online about stammering, dyspraxia and acquired communication disorders. Further information is available from:


The Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Private Practice has a list of speech and language therapists in private practice specialising in various aspects of speech and language therapy throughout the country. The directory divides areas of speech and language therapy into 15 separate fields, which are further categorised into the treatment of adults or treatment of children.