atest press release from Jennifer Whitmore 
TD, issued on Thursday, March 31st 2021…
HSE that an adult Speech and Language therapist has been appointed and is due to start on May 6th.
Speaking on the appointment, Deputy Whitmore says, “the appointment of a long-awaited adult speech and language therapist is most welcome and am pleased the appointment will be on a permanent basis.
“In response to local activist Bernadette Nolan, I inquired with the HSE about the need for an adult speech and language therapist and was delighted to get confirmation of this post. 
The therapist will provide specialist assessments, diagnostic and management services as well as services to adults presenting with feeding, eating, drinking and swallowing (FEDS) disorders including voice disorders.
Currently there is no access to rehabilitation services for patients between Dun Laoghaire and Wexford including Wicklow and patients end up on a 6 month waiting list for the National Rehabilitation Hospital, as a result.
“It is important that people who have undergone a stroke or brain injury receive rehab services as soon as possible to maximise progress. Instead, a patient from Wicklow is left to the care and supervision of their loved ones while they linger on long waiting lists with no available home visits from the NRH.
“I hope the additional post will go a long way towards addressing waiting lists, however, we need to see meaningful movement on the roll out of a dedicated unit providing community rehabilitation services in line with Sláintecare and funding to support this.