Speech therapists forced to emigrate

ONLY one of this year’s 98 speech and language therapy graduates has been offered a permanent position with the Health Service Executive despite nationwide waiting lists that range from nine months to four years.

Due to an ongoing recruitment freeze, it is understood that only one of 25 appointments made within the HSE this year was on a permanent basis.

This lack of full-time opportunities now means that highly skilled Irish professionals are opting to travel to Britain, New Zealand, Australia and North America to find work.