asked the Minister for Health the steps he proposes to take, other than the removal of the marriage bar, to eliminate the shortage of permanent physiotherapists.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Physiotherapy Students.
12.
I answered a similar question from the Deputy on 5th July, 1973. Since then, health boards, with my approval, have introduced a scheme of sponsoring physiotherapy students on condition that, on successful completion of training, the persons sponsored undertake to take up employment with health boards for at least two years. So far, 32 students have accepted sponsorship. Moreover, the places available in the two physiotherapy schools in this country were increased from 46 to 54 places last year.
This matter is under continuous review and any further improvements considered necessary will be introduced.
It is nice to know that one Minister is doing something as a result of putting a question down.
This was done before the Deputy put down the question.
I put it down a year ago and it was done since.
A Deputy
The Deputy put them all down a year ago.
It is a pity the Deputy did not put it down three years ago.
What about the flora and the fauna?
It was only in the autumn there was an increase in the number of these students, not on the 5th of July when the Deputy put down his question.