§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many hearing therapists were employed in each of the health and social services boards in each of the years from 1 April 1981 to 31 March 1991;
(2) how many hearing therapists are currently employed in each of the health and social services boards.
§ Mr. HanleyThere are two hearing therapists working in Northern Ireland at present—one in the Eastern board, appointed throughout 1981 to date and one in the Southern board, appointed in 1991. The Eastern board is 573W in the process of appointing three additional trainee hearing therapists. The Northern board is examining the need to employ this grade.