Written answers

Wednesday, 14 September 2011

Department of Health

Health Service Staff

9:00 pm

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 901: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the employment panel for physiotherapists here; if recently graduated physiotherapists have been accommodated with employment in the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23227/11]

Photo of James ReillyJames Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The HSE held a centralised recruitment competition for Staff Grade Physiotherapists in 2008. Since then 237 permanent posts have been filled from this panel 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 a potential 246 candidates remaining. As this panel dates from 2008 it does not contain any recent graduates. However, I have asked the HSE to carry out a validation of the panel to determine how many of those on it are still available for employment.

The Employment Control Framework 2011-2014 gives effect to Government priorities on employment policy in the public sector and provides that there will be a net reduction in employment to 2014. However, the Framework allows for some growth in certain grades which are exempt from the moratorium on recruitment including Physiotherapists in order to deliver on key priority services.

You may also wish to note that I have asked the HSE to develop proposals in relation to providing internship opportunities for qualified physiotherapists under the new JobBridge Scheme operated by the Department of Social Protection.

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