Vol. 550 No. 2
349 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a report on the latest number of vacancies for speech therapy services in the health boards; if the situation in parts of Dublin's northside, where 60% of posts are unfilled, is typical of the rest of the country; and his views on whether there is scope for introducing a grade of speech therapy aides who would act as paraprofessionals in the roll out of much needed services. [8227/02]
I am aware that severe shortages of trained personnel are currently affecting speech and language therapy services nationwide. In response to my concern regarding the high level of vacancies 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 as well as for occupational therapists and physiotherapists. The study was published in July 2001 and concluded that a major expansion is essential in the numbers of each of the therapy grades, requiring a significant increase in training places. The report recommends an annual increase of 75 course places for speech and language therapy in order to achieve a fourfold increase in the num ber of speech and language therapists over the next decade.
An Inter-agency working group has been established comprising representatives of my Department, the Department of Education and Science and the Higher Education Authority. 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 proposals received are currently being assessed by the inter-agency working group with a view to allocating the increased course places as soon as possible. In addition, I understand that the Northern Area Health Board will shortly be undertaking a concerted overseas recruitment drive on behalf of all health boards.
The report of the expert group on various health professionals recommended the establishment of a therapy assistant grade, where appropriate, to provide practical support to speech and language therapists in their work and also to address the issue of skills mix raised by the Deputy. This recommendation will be progressed in 2002, the context of the continuing implementation of the expert group report.
My Department has asked the chief executive officer of each health board to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy in relation to the number of vacancies for speech and language therapists and a reply will issue to the Deputy from the Department as soon as possible.
