Vol. 502 No. 3
333 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children if he is satisfied that there are enough occupational therapists and physiotherapists available to meet the demands in hospitals and relevant institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7849/99]
The management, organisation and provision of health services is the statutory responsibility of the health boards in association with the voluntary hospitals and voluntary agencies in the first instance. This necessarily involves the identification of staffing requirements and the deployment of staff within the overall financial and employment levels set by my Department. Each agency, on receipt of its annual level of financial determination and as part of its preparation of an annual service plan, makes decisions with regard to the staffing levels and the skills mix it requires to provide an agreed level of service within overall financial allocation.
