Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 3

Written Answers. - Health Support Services.

Dick Spring

Ceist:

270 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are only two occupational therapists available to the people of County Kerry; and the steps being taken to bring the complement up to the number required to provide a reasonable level of service. [6764/02]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The provision of health related support services, including occupational therapy, is a matter for the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards in the first instance. Accordingly, the Deputy's question has been referred to the chief executive officer of the Southern Health Board with a request that he examine the matter and reply directly to him as a matter of urgency.

In response to my concern regarding current 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 certain professional therapists including occupational therapists. The study, a comprehensive quantitative assessment of workforce requirements for qualified person nel in this area 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 an increase of more than 150% in occupational therapists. This will require a significant increase in training places with a recommended annual increase of 75 course places for occupational 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; the establishment of the planned system of statutory registration consistent with the requirement for a patient centred health service; and the 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. The bids have now been received and are currently being assessed by the inter-agency working group.