To ask the Minister of Health whether his Department has evaluated the specialist workforce required to meet the needs of babies, children and young people with speech, language and communication needs, including Auditory Verbal therapists.

The Speech and Language Workforce Review 2019-2029 evaluated the speech and language therapy workforce required to deliver services to the whole demographic of Northern Ireland. It is widely accepted that since this review and the recommendations made therein that demands on the speech and language service have increased.

The Advisory Committee of Allied Health Professions was reconvened in March 2024. My Chief Allied Health Professions Officer has commissioned the workforce subcommittee of my Advisory Committee of Allied Health Professions to consider all workforce issues for Allied Health Professions. As part of this work, the committee will critically review the recommendations in the Speech and Language Workforce Review 2019-2029 in order to inform the future workforce requirements. I anticipate receiving their advice in coming months.