The Hard Shoulder is calling on the Government to 'Give Them A Voice'. In recent weeks, the show has been highlighting the waiting lists for speech and language assessments and therapies, as well as the impact any delays can have on the development and education of children. In highlighting these issues, the goal is to ensure a better service for the children who desperately need these services. Newstalk under the Freedom of Information Act revealed that a total of 16,466 children are on the waiting list for their first assessment with a speech and language therapist. More than 3,500 children are waiting over a year for a first assessment, with over 500 children waiting at least two years.