221 Mr. McHugh asked the Minister for Education and Science the employment opportunities available to graduates of the speech and language therapy course at NUIG in view of the fact that the graduates are unable to obtain employment while senior speech and language therapists are being recruited internationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15529/07]

My Department does not have responsibility for employment opportunities for graduates in speech and language therapies. However, graduates in these disciplines are of particular importance to the education sector and my Department has been in contact with the Department of Health and Children and the Health Services Executive to press the case for additional employment opportunities.