Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 349: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the breakdown of the number of occupational therapist positions waiting to be filled nationally; the steps she is taking to meet the shortage in occupational therapists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11779/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Demand for occupational therapy in the health services has been significant, hence the substantial investment which has been provided over the last number of years. The number of occupational therapists employed in the public health service has grown from 287 wholetime equivalents in 1997 to 1,025 in December 2007. This is an increase of 738 wholetime equivalents in that period which represents a growth of 257%. The Government has also committed to further investment in health services, such as disability, primary care and older persons services and this will result in a further increase in the occupational therapy resources available.

A particular priority for the Department and the Department of Education and Science in recent years has been the expansion of the supply of therapy graduates, including occupational therapists. Additional courses in occupational therapy were established in UCC, NUIG and UL with an initial intake of 25 places on each of the 3 courses. The UL course is at Masters level and the courses in UCC and NUIG are bachelor degree programmes.

The number of training places for occupational therapists has increased by 86 from 29 in 1997 to 115 in 2007. This represents an increase of almost 297% in the past ten years. In relation to the breakdown of the number of occupational therapist positions waiting to be filled nationally, the Deputy will be aware that it is a matter for the Health Service Executive to manage and deploy its human resources to best meet the requirements of its Annual Service Plan for the delivery of health and personal social services to the public. The Executive is the appropriate body to consider the matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.