Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Health Service Executive recruitment freeze has had the effect of making it difficult for graduate physiotherapists to secure jobs and that students were encouraged to enter college physiotherapy courses in the expectation of increased employment within the HSE for graduate physiotherapists, in view of the Bacon Report of 2001; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16447/08]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 204: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Health Service Executive recruitment freeze has had the effect of making it difficult for graduate physiotherapists to secure jobs, that college places have been significantly increased in physiotherapy since the Bacon Report of 2001 and that it is proving difficult for graduate physiotherapists to secure employment with the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16446/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 204 together.

The recruitment pause put in place in September 2007 was initiated as part of the HSE financial break-even plan to facilitate the delivery of services on budget in accordance with the provisions of the 2007 National Service Plan. This pause did not involve random job cuts but did mean that the recruitment of staff to approved positions was delayed. The HSE put in place a derogation process to deal with the filling of essential posts to protect front-line services and close to 900 posts were approved under this process.

This temporary pause in recruitment ended on 31st December 2007 and any posts falling vacant from 1st January 2008 can be filled subject to the provisions Circular 01/2008. This circular sets out the HSE Employment Control Framework for 2008 and is aimed at ensuring that health services are delivered in accordance with the provisions of the 2008 National Service Plan and within the funding provided by Government.

There has been a growing demand for, and investment in, physiotherapy services over the last number of years. A particular priority for this Department and the Department of Education and Science in recent years has been the expansion of the supply of therapy graduates. Training places for physiotherapists have increased by 126% since 1997 (from 64 to 145). My Department has worked closely with the HSE in the provision of clinical placements for these students which is an essential component of the therapy degree programmes.

I am aware that an issue has arisen whereby some physiotherapy graduates have had difficulty in obtaining employment. My Department has been addressing this situation in a proactive manner over the last year with a view to ensuring that the various factors which contributed to it are addressed. In this regard, the Department has chaired a working group with the HSE comprising the relevant stakeholders and has identified the contributing factors to this complex situation. An Action Plan has been developed to address these matters and the situation is being closely monitored.

The Deputy may wish to note that between 1997 and end December 2007, the number of physiotherapists employed in the public health service increased by 139%. In addition, arising from the Budget Day package approved by Government for 2008, an additional 1,050 new posts have been approved for the health services. These include 710 posts for the Disability sector. It is anticipated that a number of these posts will be therapy professionals. The filling of these service development posts will be progressed by the HSE through its employment control process.