Olivia Mitchell
Question:485 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of additional physiotherapy training places which have been provided in the current term in the University of Limerick. [19938/03]
Written Answers. - Departmental Statistics.
In May 2002, my predecessor announced the provision of 175 additional therapy training places to tackle the shortage of physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists as identified by the report Current and Future Supply and Demand Conditions in the Labour Market for Certain Professional Therapists, which was undertaken by Dr. Peter Bacon and Associates in 2001. The announcement followed on the work of an inter-agency working group, comprising representatives from my Department, the Department of Health and Children and the Higher Education Authority, which was established to ensure the provision of these extra places and which considered proposals received from a number of third level institutions for the expansion of existing courses and-or the introduction of new courses, including graduate entry programmes.
One such course was the bachelor of science in physiotherapy in the University of Limerick. I understand that 30 places were offered for the 2002-03 academic year and a total of 28 students took up places. A further 30 places have been offered on this course for the 2003-04 academic year, now commencing.