Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

Question 667: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the employment panel for physiotherapists in Ireland; if any recently graduated physiotherapists have been accommodated with employment in the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7839/12]

James Reilly (Minister, Department of Health; Dublin North, Fine Gael)

In 2008, the HSE ran a recruitment campaign for physiotherapists which provided the health service with a significant number of candidates suitable for appointment. To date, 250 physiotherapists have been appointed from this panel and over 200 remain available for appointment. While the current panel would meet the forseeable recruitment needs for staff grade physiotherapists, the Executive is considering the possibility of running a new recruitment campaign at an appropriate time.