Health Services Staff Recruitment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013

Wednesday, 18 September 2013

Questions (1275)

Dara Murphy

Question:

1275. Deputy Dara Murphy asked the Minister for Health when recruitment will begin within the Health Service Executive for speech and language therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37063/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Alex White)

In March 2013, I issued approval to the HSE to commence recruitment to Primary Care Teams with immediate effect of 251 Primary Care posts, which included 47 Speech and Language Therapists. The recruitment process is at an advanced stage and it is the intention to have these posts filled by the end of this year.

In August this year, a further 13.5 Primary Care posts were approved of which 5 are Speech and Language Therapist posts and these are now being progressed in addition to the 47 posts above.