Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the implementation of the Bacon Report of 2001 has resulted in newly qualified physiotherapists being unable to find work here; the number of physiotherapists offering for employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31677/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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There has been a growing demand for, and investment in, physiotherapy in the health services over the last number of years. There were a number of issues contributing to difficulties accessing physiotherapy services, one of which had been the supply of qualified personnel available to fill vacant posts. 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. In this regard, the number of training places for physiotherapy has been increased from 64 to 145, which represents an increase of 127% since 1997.

The number of physiotherapists employed in the public service has grown from 593 whole time equivalents in 1997 to 1433 in 2008. This is an increase of 840 wholetime equivalents, which represents a growth of 142% in that period. The Government continues to support the development of new physiotherapy posts, particularly in the areas of Disability and Primary Care. My Department is working closely with the HSE, and representatives of the professions, with a view to ensuring that the optimum number of such posts are filled as expeditiously as possible, having due regard to the requirement on the HSE to operate within its budget.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 144: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of speech therapists appointed to cover the Tipperary north region; the reason for the delay in speech therapy intervention for children; her plans and the time frame involved in reducing the waiting time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31726/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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There has been a growing demand for, and investment in, speech and language therapy in the health services over the last number of years.

There were a number of issues contributing to difficulties accessing Speech and Language Therapy services, one of which had been the supply of qualified personnel available to fill vacant posts. 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. In this regard, the number of training places for Speech and Language Therapy has been increased from 25 to 105, with the establishment of three new Speech and Language Therapy Schools in National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG), University College Cork (UCC) and University of Limerick (UL), which represents an increase of 320% since 1997.

The number of speech and language therapists employed in the public service has grown from 282 whole time equivalents in 1997 to 721 in 2008. This is an increase of 439 wholetime equivalents, which represents a growth of 156% in that period. The Government continues to support the development of new Speech and Language Therapy posts, particularly in the areas of Disability and Primary Care. My Department is working closely with the HSE, and representatives of the professions, with a view to ensuring that the optimum number of such posts are filled as expeditiously as possible, having due regard to the requirement on the HSE to operate within its budget.

The part of the Deputy's question regarding the number of speech and language therapists employed in the Tipperary north region relates to the management and delivery of health and personal 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 the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.