HC Deb 21 May 1991 vol 191 cc447-8W
Mrs. Ray Michie

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many(a) full-time and (b) part-time speech therapists are currently employed by each health board in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Hanley

Details of the number of speech therapists employed by each health and social services board in Northern Ireland at 31 March 1991 are as follows:

Health and social services board Full-time Part-time
Eastern 64 19
Northern 30 13
Southern 20 4
Western 25 1
TOTAL 139 37

Since 1981, the number of speech therapists in Northern Ireland has risen from 118 (whole-time equivalent 100.58) to 176 (whole-time equivalent 158.30) an increase in real terms of 57.38 per cent.