Denis Naughten
Question:108 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the action he intends to take to address the crisis in the availability of speech therapy. [5408/02]
Written Answers. - Speech Therapy Service.
In response to my concern regarding the current severe labour shortages affecting the therapy professions nationwide, my Department commissioned a report from Dr. Peter Bacon and Associates on current and future supply and demand conditions in the labour market for speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. The study was published in July 2001. It concludes that a major expansion is essential in the numbers of speech and language therapists requiring a significant increase in training places.
The report recommends an annual increase of 75 course places for speech and language therapy. To this end, an interagency working group has been established comprising representatives of my Department, the Department of Education and Science and the Higher Education Authority.
The Higher Education Authority has initiated a formal bidding process between third level educational institutions to respond to the training needs identified in the study. The proposals received are currently being assessed by the working group. In addition, a concerted overseas recruitment campaign will be initiated shortly on behalf of the health boards for scarce speech and language therapy personnel.
Question No. 109 answered with Question No. 40.
Question No. 110 answered with Question No. 79.