Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 518: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the ongoing education and training programmes in place for the Health Service Executive's local health officers and management to educate them in the complex area of congenital disabilities such as spina bifida and hydrocephalus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2186/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 519: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the position of paediatric occupational therapist in the Dublin west local health office has been vacant for the past three months and that this is causing unnecessary delays in having assessments carried out; when this position will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2188/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Almost 130,000 people work full-time or part-time in our public health services. In recent years, the Government's ongoing high level of investment in health has achieved and maintained significant increases in the numbers of doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals employed in the public health services. The Government has also invested heavily in the education and training of such personnel in order to secure a good supply of graduates to provide for the healthcare needs of the population into the future.

Subject to overall parameters set by Government, the Health Service Executive has the responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. In that regard, it is a matter for the 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. As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.