Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 March 2014
194. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the numbers on waiting lists in respect of assessment and treatment for speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy, with a breakdown by therapy, by duration on the waiting list, by area and by age category; if he will provide corresponding figures for WTE vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14272/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE’s National Service Plan 2013 provided for additional funding of €20m to strengthen primary care services (€18.525m for the recruitment of 264.5 primary care team posts and €1.475m to support Community Intervention Team development). A Resource Allocation Model was developed and the posts were allocated based on the analysis carried out by the HSE in identifying areas of deprivation and need. The allocation and distribution of the posts was based on bringing each Integrated Service Area, where staffing is below the national average, towards the national average. The additional primary care posts included 72 Public Health Nurses, 40.5 Registered General Nurses, 47.5 Physiotherapists, 52.5 Occupational Therapists and 52 Speech and Language Therapists.
As of 6th March 2014, 199.5 posts have been filled or start dates have been agreed. The HSE is striving to have the remainder of the posts filled as soon as possible in 2014.
As the specific information about waiting list numbers and WTE vacancies is not routinely provided to the Department by the HSE, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on these matters.
