Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 15 Nov 2001

Vol. 544 No. 2

Written Answers. - Training Places.

Dick Spring

Ceist:

50 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Education and Science the extra training places created for 2001 offered by third level institutions in each of the areas of physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy; the action his Department proposes to take on foot of the Bacon report on shortages in these areas, particularly in relation to the opening of additional training places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28229/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

The Department of Health and Children commissioned a report from Dr. Peter Bacon and Associates on current and future supply and demand conditions in the labour market for physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists. The report was launched in July 2001 and it concluded that a major expansion in the number of therapy professionals was essential over the next 15 years. The report recommends an annual increase of 75 training places for both speech and language therapy and occupational therapy and an additional 25 training places in physiotherapy. These increases are in addition to the extra number of places provided by the colleges in the last academic year in response to the request of the Higher Education Authority to expand provision in the light of perceived shortages. The increased places offered for 2000-01 were as follows:

Speech and language therapy:Trinity College, Dublin	Increased by 3 to 29
Occupational therapyTrinity College, Dublin	Increased by 5 to 35
Physiotherapy
Trinity College, Dublin	Increased by 5 to 35
University College Dublin	Increased by 24 to 56
RCSI 4 year programme	Increased by 11 to 15
RCSI 3 year programme	Increased by 14 to 17

I understand that a further five places have been provided on the physiotherapy and occupational therapy courses offered by Trinity College for the current academic year.

An inter-agency working group has been established, comprising representatives of my Department, the Department of Health and Children and the Higher Education Authority. The Higher Education Authority has invited institutions to submit proposals for the expansion of existing courses and/or the introduction of new courses, including graduate entry programmes. A meeting of the inter-agency working group is being convened to consider the response to the authority's invitation.