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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 May 2001

Vol. 537 No. 3

Written Answers. - Occupational Therapy Service.

Emmet Stagg

Question:

151 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the serious shortage of occupational therapists serving the Kildare section at the south-western area health board which has led to waiting times of five months for disabled persons' grants inspections; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the urgent waiting list for the provision of orthopaedic aids is operating on the November 2000 referrals; if this is acceptable to him; his intentions to correct matters by having additional occupational therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16154/01]

Responsibility for the provision of occupational therapy services in County Kildare rests in the first instance with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. I have asked the chief executive of the Eastern Regional Health Authority to examine the situation from the point of view of the matters contained in the Deputy's question and to prepare a report on those matters. Once this report has been received I will communicate with the Deputy direct.

I am aware of the situation regarding staff shortages in the therapy professions. 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. However, 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 report, which should aid in the recruitment and retention of staff.

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