The IASLT is the recognised professional association for Speech and Language Therapists in the Republic of Ireland. The aims of the organisation include:

• Developing and maintaining professional standards of practice.
• Evaluating and accrediting Speech and Language Therapy training courses.
• Supporting continuing professional development of its members.
• Representing the profession nationally and internationally.
• Validating the qualifications of Speech and Language Therapists coming to work in Ireland.

You can contact the IASLT by phone, e-mail or postal address, as follows:
Phone: +353 (0)85 7068707
E-mail: info@iaslt.ie
Postal: Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists, P.O. Box 541, Ballinlough, Co. Cork

SLTs are qualified professionals that work with clients, who present with a variety of disorders of communication, voice and swallowing. For example, an SLT may work with children, who develop speech difficulties as they grow up; adults who have had strokes and can no longer swallow; individuals with voice difficulties due to strain or disease; people with disabilities that require alternative or supported communication methods. SLTs work in a variety of settings including community care, hospitals, charitable organisations and in private practice.

Parents wishing to make appointments for their children can contact their Local Health Office (LHO) to seek appointments with a Speech and Language Therapist. For clients with additional needs, many charitable organisations offer a Speech and Language Therapy service.

Unfortunately, there are very few Speech and Language Therapy posts in Ireland dedicated to the care of adult clients in the community, though your LHO will be able to advise you whether one exists in your area. If not, local support groups relevant to your need (e.g. stroke, Parkinson’s, etc) may be able to provide you with information.

If your child attends a special needs school or a special needs class within a mainstream school, they may be able to access speech and language therapy through the school.

If you need to access speech and language therapy as a result of a medical condition and you attend a hospital for your medical condition, you may be able to access speech and language therapy through the hospital. Your hospital doctor will advise you on this.

The Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Private Practice (IASLTPP) site can help you find a private practitioner in your area. Their website is available at: www.iasltpp.com

Complaints about an SLT can be made by IASLT members, employers, clients and members of the public. Complaints should ideally be made within 6 months of the incident of complaint happening. Formal complaints must be in writing and signed. They should detail the background and facts relating to the issue of complaint. This should then be posted to the IASLT at the address listed above (see “How do I contact the IASLT?”).

Complaints will be acknowledged in writing within 15 working days of receipt and the IASLT will appoint an officer to investigate the complaint. The IASLT will endeavour to resolve complaints within 6 months of receipt.

Professional Competence Professional Ethics Complaints Procedure
Irish Association of Speech & Language Therapists
Adobe PDF Document (59k)

The Prospective Students area of our site lists information on SLT as a career, as well as the university courses available in SLT in Ireland.