Vol. 509 No. 6
545 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to ensure the provision of additional facilities for the education and training of physiotherapists; and the agreement, if any, reached with colleges to improve the situation. [21425/99]
The two schools of physiotherapy at University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin have a combined annual output of some 70 graduates. With effect from the current academic year, the Royal College of Surgeons has introduced a NUI degree of B.Sc. in physiotherapy.
I understand that an expert group was established in accordance with Labour Court recommendation 15515 to address the education and training of certain paramedic grades, including physiotherapists. The group commenced hearings in May 1998 and it is expected that they will report by the end of 1999. The issue of the insufficiency of the number of qualified physiotherapists produced annually by the colleges to meet the growing needs of the health services was raised in submissions to the expert group.
The question of providing additional facilities for the education and training of physiotherapists will be considered in the context of the report of the expert group when available.
