Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Question 156: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of speech and language therapy positions that remain unfilled here; the extent to which the shortage of speech and language therapists is due to lack of three years' work experience; the efforts being made by her Department to provide work experience to recently qualified speech and language therapists on leaving college; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7629/08]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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In January 2007 my Department set up a Working Group on Employment Opportunities for Graduate Therapists including Speech and Language Therapists. This group comprises representatives from the DOHC and HSE HR Divisions, the Therapy professions and IMPACT. The group, working in close partnership, has identified significant factors contributing to this complex situation and has developed a comprehensive Action Plan to address the matter.

The Action Plan has a number of objectives, some of which aim to ensure recently qualified therapists including speech and language therapists have an opportunity to gain employment on leaving college. Substantial progress was made in 2007 to maximize employment opportunities for graduates; however, significant challenges remain. The group will continue to work to address the imbalance in the grading structure, the preparedness of graduates to work directly in PCCC and other relevant actions within their control.

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 these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.