I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan, for taking this Adjournment on behalf of the Minister for Health.
I have received many representations on pay conditions from people working in the area of physiotherapy. They are seeking parity with other health grade professionals. Physiotherapists must complete a B.Sc. or B.A. degree, which represents a high standard of attainment. Despite this, there are considerable differences in pay compared with other graduate health professionals. The top basic rate of pay for physiotherapists is £18,558 per annum, a level that is only achieved after ten years after graduation. By comparison, a social worker can earn £20,592 per annum after eight years. The top salary scale for a senior physiotherapist is £20,096 per annum, which approximates to the salary for Senators. By comparison, pharmacists can earn £24,701 after nine years, while a senior pharmacist can earn £27,854 at the top of the scale.
If one was cynical a factor which could be considered in explaining the difference in pay between the health professionals is the fact that the staff members of the physiotherapy profession are predominantly female. In my experience of working in the health services, females tend to earn a little less than their male counterparts. In addition, it has been 17 years since the last pay review for physiotherapists. If this were happening in any other profession there would be a revolt.
The job role of physiotherapists has changed greatly in the past number of years. They are now more specialised and there is a greater emphasis on technology. They play a vital role in modern health and community care and have a wide range of skills and specialisms. Doubtless in his days as a football player the Minister of State experienced their skills.
Two-thirds of the physiotherapists trained in Ireland in 1994 are currently working in the US or England. This is primarily because the pay and conditions are very poor in Ireland. Irish hospitals are finding it difficult to recruit physiotherapy staff. This is especially the case for County Donegal. The North-Western Health Board, which covers Counties Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim, has only approximately 35 physiotherapists to cover the three counties.
Pay negotiations with the Department of Health under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work have been ongoing for two years but little progress has been made. Will the Minister intervene to achieve genuine progress? The work of the physiotherapists is recognised as an integral part of health care. I hope the situation will be recognised by the Department and the Minister.
