Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 125: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will examine the positive and sensible strategies in the Cuban primary care doctor services when developing general practitioner services. [16821/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I have not had any contact with the Cuban Authorities in relation to seeking advice on health matters, but I will bear the Deputy's suggestion in mind.

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 126: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of adults and the number of children currently waiting for physiotherapy services in the community of County Meath; the average waiting time for adults and children to be assessed; if she will remove the employment ceiling in order to allocate extra staff necessary to more equitably meet the needs of the increased referral rates to physiotherapy services in Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16827/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

In relation to the employment ceiling, approved employment levels for the health service have been adjusted since 2002 in line with Government policy on public sector employment and also to take account of specific policy measures aimed at increasing service levels. It is a matter for the Health Service Executive, as part of its management of its employment ceiling, to determine the appropriate staffing mix required to deliver its service plan priorities.

I have repeatedly stressed the need for compliance with approved employment levels consistent with safeguarding and indeed enhancing the delivery of front line services and achieving an appropriate balance between clinical and non-clinical employment levels. The Deputy will wish to note that my Department's Health Service Personnel Census shows that there were 1,258 physiotherapists employed at end December, 2005. This compares with a figure of 896 physiotherapists at end 2001, and represents an increase of 362 or more than 40% over that period. (All figures expressed as wholetime equivalents.)