Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 133: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when she will fully address speech and language therapy requirements to the extent that all outstanding requests are fully met and adequate provision is made for the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11019/07]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A particular priority for my Department and the Department of Education and Science in recent years has been the expansion of the supply of therapy graduates, including speech and language therapists. In response to concerns regarding labour shortages, my Department commissioned a report from Dr. Peter Bacon and Associates on current and future supply and demand conditions to 2015 in the labour market for speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists (Bacon Report).

The report was published in 2001 and arising from its recommendations additional courses in speech and language therapy providing 75 places were established in three universities. UCC, NUIG and UL each established courses in speech and language therapy with 25 places on each of the 3 courses. The first cohort of graduates from the UL masters level course in speech and language therapy graduated in 2005 and the first cohort from the bachelor degree programmes in UCC and NUIG will graduate this year. This investment represents an increase in training capacity of 300% in speech and language therapy. The total number of speech and language therapy training places now stands at 100, the level at which the Bacon Report recommended as being sufficient to meet current and future demand to 2015 for speech and language therapists.

An issue has recently come to my attention whereby physiotherapy graduates have had some difficulties in finding employment. I want to ensure that the combination of factors which have led to this situation are addressed urgently and do not impact on the other therapy professions. My Department is addressing this situation in a proactive manner and is working closely with the HSE to tackle the various factors which are contributing to this situation. A working group made up of the Department, the HSE and the profession themselves, including nominees from the unions, is continuing to work to tackle this situation in preparation for the 2007 graduates.

The Deputy's question also 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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 134: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the need for the provision of extra speech and language therapy services at schools throughout County Kildare; her intentions to meet such requirements in full in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11028/07]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As the Deputy may be aware, a sum of €75m for revenue purposes was provided to the Health Service Executive for Disability Services in the 2007 Budget. This sum incorporates the 2007 element of the Government's multi-annual investment programme for the National Disability Strategy. This Strategy is committed to enhancing the level and range of multi-disciplinary support services to adults and children with an intellectual, physical and sensory disability and those with autism.

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.