Vol. 486 No. 2
37 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties of health boards in filling many posts because of skills shortages particularly for nurses, social workers and occupational and speech therapists; if he will establish a task force to assess the current situation, project future demand and ensure adequate intake into training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2210/98]
Health service employment has grown significantly since 1990. For example, between 1990 and 1996 the whole-time equivalent number of nursing staff employed in the public health service funded directly by my Department increased from 24,732 to 27,264 — an increase of 2,532 or 10.2 per cent. However, a number of boards have traditionally had difficulties in recruitment of certain grades of staff, which may vary from place to place. In the current economic climate, opportunities in the private sector can result in high levels of competition for some grades of professional staff.
In relation to future manpower needs of the sector and particularly recruitment and retention rates, there are a number of current initiatives. For example, as the Deputy will be aware, the Commission on Nursing chaired by Ms Justice Mella Carroll, which recently published its interim report, is looking at these matters and will issue its recommendations in its final report. Issues relating to the availability of nurses will be viewed in light of that report.
In the cases of the paramedic grades, the Deputy will be aware that, in April 1997, the Labour Court issued its findings on a pay claim made by nine paramedical professions including social workers, occupational therapists, and speech and langauge therapists. The court also recommended the setting up of an expert group to examine and report on several issues including those of recruitment, retention, training and education requirements for each of the professions. This expert group has recently been set up and will report on its findings in due course.
Finally, the Deputy will be also be aware that the training of additional health service grades, in many cases, requires the making available of an increased number of third level university places and this is a matter in the first instance for the Higher Education Authority. The recommendations of the reviews which I have mentioned will be brought to the authority's attention.
