Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 1

Written Answers. - Health Service Vacancies.

Rory O'Hanlon

Question:

113 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of vacancies for orthodontists, speech therapists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists; the steps that have been taken to recruit staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15268/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

My Department does not have figures for the number of vacancies for orthodontists, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

I am aware of the situation regarding staff shortages in speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. I have taken a number of steps to deal with the problem, including the commissioning of a workforce planning study by Dr. Peter Bacon and Associates, which will be published shortly, increasing the number of student places in the therapy schools and implementing the recommendations of the expert group report on various health professions. As an interim measure, following discussions with the Department of Education and Science and the Higher Education Authority, the number of training places for speech and language therapy was increased by eight, physiotherapy training places were increased by 52 and occupational therapy training places increased by five from October 2000.

Unfortunately, the capacity of the colleges does not allow for a greater expansion in the number of places for speech and language therapy and occupational therapy. I am confident that a substantial number of additional training places will be provided as a result of the study by Dr. Bacon. The pay and career structures for the therapy grades have been significantly enhanced as the result of the implementation of the expert group's report, which should aid in the recruitment and retention of staff.

The position with regard to orthodontists is that following recommendations in the Moran report, entitled Review of Orthodontic Services, structural changes are being introduced in orthodontic services. These structural changes include the creation of the grade of specialist in orthodontics, the development of specialist training programmes and the creation of a grade of auxiliary dental worker to work in the orthodontic area. It will be some time before these structural changes impact significantly on service levels. Consequently, I asked health boards to develop proposals to make an immediate significant impact on their waiting lists. This year additional funding of £5.3 million has been provided for orthodontic services, of which £3.7 million will fund an initiative on orthodontic waiting lists. This will enable health boards to recruit additional staff and engage the services of private practitioners to treat patients.