Bernard Allen
Question:158 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of occupational therapists in the Southern Health Board; and his views on whether the number is sufficient to meet the demands. [13596/98]
Written Answers. - Health Board Staff.
Bernard Allen
Question:159 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of physiotherapists in the Southern Health Board area; and his views on whether the number is sufficient to meet the demands. [13597/98]
Bernard Allen
Question:160 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of speech and language therapists in the Southern Health Board area; and his views on whether the number is adequate to meet the demands. [13598/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 158, 159 and 160 together.
The most recent information available is the health service personnel census taken on 31 December 1996. Information in respect of 1997 is being compiled by my Department at present.
There are 53.03 whole-time equivalent physiotherapists (basic grade, senior and physiotherapist-in charge grade I), 20.93 whole-time equivalent occupational therapists (basic grade, senior, head I and head II), 26.20 whole-time equivalent speech and language therapists (basic grade and senior) employed by the public health service in the Southern Health Board region.
The issue of staffing needs is a matter for each individual health agency, subject to approved staffing ceiling and financial allocation. It is the responsibility of the chief executive officer of each agency to identify manpower requirements and to direct staffing resources to areas of particular priority.