Physiotherapists
136. Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the number of physiotherapists who qualify here each year; the number of sanctioned posts here for qualified physiotherapists; when this number was set; when this number is due to be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25192/06]
Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney): Four universities provide BSc degrees in physiotherapy. University College Dublin have 56 places on their undergraduate degree course and have 54 students graduating this year. University of Limerick have 30 places on their undergraduate degree course and have 27 students graduating this year. The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland have 25/26 places on their undergraduate degree course and have 25 students graduating this year. Finally, Trinity College Dublin have 40 on their undergraduate degree course and have 47 students graduating this year.
My Department does not issue national employment quotas for individual health service grades. The number of posts in various staff categories is a matter for the HSE which, in determining posts, must have regard to service requirements and public sector employment policies. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.
137. Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the medical card scheme providing payment to general practitioners who employ a full or part-time physiotherapist in their practice, thus reducing demands on hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25194/06]
Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney): Primary Care - A New Direction (2001) set out this Government’s vision for the development of primary care as a central focus in the delivery of health and personal social care services. The Strategy aims to shift the emphasis from an over-reliance on acute hospital services to one where patients can access an integrated multi - disciplinary service in their local community. I am confident that this development of the services available in the primary care setting can reduce the demand on acute services in hospitals by meeting the vast majority of day-to-day health care needs in the local community.
There is currently no provision within the GMS contract for general practitioners to receive additional remuneration in respect of the delivery of a physiotherapy service in the manner suggested by the Deputy.
Implementation of the Primary Care Strategy is focusing on the development of integrated multi-disciplinary teams including general practitioners, nurses, health care assistants, home helps, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and others. The 2006 Estimate for the HSE includes an additional €10 million in revenue funding to enable the establishment of up to 100 new primary care teams. This will enable the provision of some 300 additional frontline personnel to work alongside GPs in order to provide integrated and accessible services in the community. The draft national partnership agreement, if ratified by the social partners will provide for the development of further primary care teams during the lifetime of the agreement.