Vol. 550 No. 5
170 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of additional places that will be available for the training of speech and language therapists in the coming academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9578/02]
The present training for speech therapists involves a four-year programme in the School of Clinical Speech and Language Studies at Trinity College, Dublin. The Department of Health and Children commissioned a report from Dr. Peter Bacon and Associates on current and future supply and demand conditions in the labour market for physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists. The report was launched in July 2001 and it concluded that a major expansion in the numbers of therapy professionals was essential over the next fifteen years. In relation to speech and language therapy training places, the report recommends an annual increase of 75 training places over the previous level of 25 training places.
As an interim measure my Department and the Higher Education Authority agreed to increase the annual intake to the speech and language therapy course at the University of Dublin, Trinity College to 29 from the 2000-2001 academic year. An interagency working group has been established comprising representatives of my Department, the Department of Health and Children and the Higher Education Authority to pursue the issues arising from the report. The Higher Education Authority invited institutions to submit proposals for the expansion of existing courses and the introduction of new courses, including graduate entry programmes for the three disciplines. The proposals received are currently being considered. In the meantime, because of the critical importance of speech and language therapists in education I have sanctioned an increase of 75 in the number of places for the education and training of these professionals. This will ensure that those in need will have access to the therapists who will help them get the education they deserve.
