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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 1 May 1997

Vol. 478 No. 6

Written Answers. - Paramedics Dispute.

Mary Wallace

Question:

49 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the impact on health services from the expected escalation of the current health care professionals' strike on 13 May 1997, to include radiographers, psychologists, laboratory technicians, community welfare officers, environmental health officers, public health nurses, dental surgery assistants, family support workers and clinical and administrative staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11722/97]

Mary Wallace

Question:

52 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, he is taking to address the needs of the children attending the language class in St. Mary's national school, Trim, County Meath, who are currently receiving no speech and language therapy service owing to the strike in the health care profession; the reassurances, if any, he can give to the anxious parents who are awaiting a decision on placement in this class for the forthcoming term in view of the fact that such decisions were to be taken on 22 April 1997, and have now been postponed indefinitely due to the health care professionals' strike; the concerns, if any, he has regarding the possible risk of closure of this class which was a joint venture between his Department and the Department of Education in view of the fact that his Department is no longer able to provide its input due to the current strike; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11725/97]

Mary Wallace

Question:

56 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, his Department is taking to address the needs of children attending St. Ultan's special school, St. Mary's special school, and the special care unit in Navan, County Meath, all of whom have learning difficulties and who have received no therapy service since the health care professionals' strike commenced on Monday, 21 April 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11729/97]

Mary Wallace

Question:

57 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health whether there are sufficient health care professionals' currently being trained in this country; if so, the reason there are so few people applying for therapy vacancies in our health services; the reason so many therapists are taking up jobs abroad; if there is a direct connection with the pay and conditions for therapists in the health services and these recruitment difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11730/97]

Mary Wallace

Question:

58 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health his views on the impact on services for people with disabilities of the current health care professionals' strike and in particular the long-term impact on children with disabilities who were in receipt of intensive speech therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy until 21 April 1997; if he will take urgent steps with the Government on behalf of these children to ensure an immediate return of their service by a satisfactory settlement of the strike; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11731/97]

Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 49, 52, 56, 57 and 58 together.

In view of the fact that, following the issue of Labour Court Recommendation No. 15515 dated Wednesday, 30 April 1997, IMPACT, on behalf of its members, has suspended the strike action there is no reason to anticipate any more serious problems in these areas at present. I understand that IMPACT will put the court's recommendations to ballot. At this point, I would like to thank the Labour Court for its assistance in this matter.

In relation to the issues such as recruitment and retention difficulties etc. it is envisaged that these matters will be examined in due course by the expert group as recommended by the Labour Court.

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