Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many of the qualified physiotherapists on the panel are in private employment or abroad and this system is hindering young graduates from getting jobs. [18011/11]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 174: To ask the Minister for Health if he will interview the physiotherapists on the panel in order to find out the number that are available for work [18012/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 together.

The HSE's National Recruitment Service implemented a centralised recruitment system for staff grade physiotherapists in 2008. Since this time 237 permanent posts have been filled from the panel established in February 2008 and a further 110 temporary appointments made. These appointments were to fill many of the service developments for both Primary Care Teams and Disability services, together with replacements for existing physiotherapists who were promoted or were on maternity leave. This panel is still live with 246 candidates currently on this panel and available for employment.

The HSE keeps the operation of panels under review and bases decisions on further recruitment campaigns on a number of factors including potential vacancies and whether the current panel is able to satisfy recruitment needs.

Notwithstanding the requirement in the Employment Control Framework for the health sector for a net reduction employment levels, the Framework permits the filling of replacement posts of physiotherapist, speech and language therapist and occupational therapists and also for the filling of up to 380 posts in aggregate for these occupations in addition to the end 2009 levels. The Health Service Personnel Census indicates that between December 2009 and May 2011 (latest available data), the combined number of additional physiotherapist, speech and language therapist and occupational therapists is 258 WTE since December 2009. Of this, number of physiotherapists employed in the public health service increased by approximately 80 WTE.