Written Answers. - Speech Therapy Service.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:
178
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if he proposes to increase the number of speech therapists available through the health services in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25806/01]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:
179
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if he is satisfied that sufficient speech therapists are available through the various health boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[25807/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 179 together.
In response to my concern regarding current severe labour shortages affecting the therapy professions nationwide, my Department commissioned a report from Dr. Peter Bacon and Associates on current and future supply and demand conditions in the labour market for speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. The study, a comprehensive quantitative assessment of workforce requirement for qualified personnel in these areas to 2015 was published on 25 July last.
The report concludes that a major expansion is essential in the numbers of therapy professionals over the next 15 years including a fourfold increase in speech and language therapists.
This will require a significant increase in training places with a recommended annual increase of 75 course places for speech and language therapy. Other key recommendations of the report include provision of sufficient clinical placements within the health service through the establishment of a national network of clinical placement co-ordinators; the need for fast-track qualification and review of the existing training system; concerted recruitment from overseas; establishment of the planned system of statutory registration consistent with the requirement for a patient-centred health service; and career structure, workload, working practices and skills-mix issues encompassed in the context of the Report of the Expert Group on Various Health Professions – published April 2000.
I am working closely with my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, to ensure the rapid provision of the additional places as an urgent priority. To this end an inter-agency working group has been established comprising representatives of my Department, the Department of Education and Science and the Higher Education Authority – HEA. The Higher Education Authority has initiated a formal bidding process between third level educational institutions to respond to the training needs identified in the study.
I have contacted the chief executive officer of the Eastern Regional Health Authority who is responsible for identifying the requirement for speech and language therapists in the health service in Kildare through the service planning process. The chief executive officer of the ERHA will be in direct contact with the Deputy to advise him of relevant service developments.
