Physiotherapy

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people graduated in Northern Ireland in physiotherapy in each of the last 10 years; and how many of these (a) are and (b) are not employed in full-time permanent physiotherapy posts in Northern Ireland. (103446)

The number of physiotherapy student who graduated in Northern Ireland in the last 10 years is presented as follows:

*The number of Physiotherapy Graduates from 1996 to 2006*
	Number of graduates
2005-06	72
2004-05	58
2003-04	63
2002-03	61
2001-02	58
2000-01	61
1999-2000	56
1998-99	66
1997-98	68
1996-97	62
Source: University of Ulster

The number of physiotherapy entrants into permanent and temporary posts within the HPSS in Northern Ireland is presented in the following table. The Department is unable to distinguish if these posts were filled by newly qualified graduates as the data is not held in this format. The Department is unable to supply information relating to private sector employment.

*Junior Grade Physiotherapy Joiners to the NI HPSS by Mode of Employment between March 1996 and March 2006 (Headcount figures)*
As at March:	Permanent	Temporary	Total
2005-06	34	35	69
2004-05	43	18	61
2003-04	45	25	70
2002-03	35	26	61
2001-02	40	13	53
2000-01	31	07	38
1999-2000	36	14	50
1998-99	29	14	43
1997-98	25	20	45
1996-97	30	13	43
Notes: Joiners figures may include: new graduates, staff transferring from private sector, staff from other countries, or staff returning after a period of unpaid leave. Source: Human Resources Management System

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of training a physiotherapist. (103447)

The current estimated cost of training a physiotherapy student is approximately £35,000. This figure includes university tuition fees, student bursary support and student placement costs.

Volume 453: debated on Tuesday 28 November 2006