Vol. 519 No. 5
316 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of speech therapists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and other categories of therapists, catering for persons with special needs, who qualified last year; and if these courses have included modules equipping them to deal with special needs children, particularly those with autism. [14111/00]
336 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of persons who qualified in the State in the last academic year as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists; the number of persons that will graduate in each of the areas this year; the number of places that will be made available to leaving certificate students in September 2000 to undertake training in each of these areas; and the arrangements which have been put in place to ensure that those qualifying in the aforesaid areas will be properly prepared to meet the special needs of children suffering from autism. [14203/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 316 and 336 together.
As the Deputies may be aware, my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, has approved the terms of reference for a workforce study on physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists. As an interim measure in response to the shortages of professionals in these disciplines, my Department and the Higher Education Authority have been considering the potential for increasing the number of places on these courses. The Higher Education Authority is engaged in discussions with the universities in this regard and I am confident that there will be an increase in the number of places available for the next academic year.
The information sought by the Deputies in relation to the numbers graduating this year and last year and the number of places that will be available in the coming academic year, together with details in relation to modules for special needs children, is being compiled by the Higher Education Authority. I will arrange for this information to be provided to the Deputies once it becomes available.
