Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Feb 2003

Vol. 562 No. 1

Written Answers - Speech Therapy Service.

Finian McGrath

Question:

359 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the freeze in the health boards in the appointment of speech and language therapists while at the same time UCD, UCC and NUIG are training an extra 75 people. [5757/03]

Finian McGrath

Question:

395 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if speech and language therapy posts currently vacant have been frozen by a number of health boards as part of a cost saving exercise; and the number of posts which need to be filled in the NEHB area. [5546/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 395 together.

My Department has not authorised any suspension in the recruitment of speech and language therapists by health agencies. Indeed, intensive efforts have been undertaken to improve staffing levels in speech and language therapy, both at local and national level. Relevant developments include the continued implementation of the recommendations of the report of the expert group on various health professions, which included new pay scales and career structures, the undertaking of a concerted overseas recruitment drive on behalf of all health boards, the introduction of a fast-track working visa scheme for health and social care professionals, the streamlining of procedures for the validation of overseas qualifications, as well as the planned significant expansion in the number of training places in speech and language therapy referred to by the Deputy. The success of these measures are reflected in the increase of 54 speech and language therapists, +15.6%, employed in the public health service over the two year period to end-2001. Information in respect of the end-2002 position is currently being compiled by my Department.

Responsibility for human resource planning, including the monitoring of vacancies in speech and language therapy posts in the North-Eastern Health Board, rests with the chief executive officer. My Department has therefore asked the chief executive officer of that board to investigate the specific matter raised by the Deputy and reply to him directly.