The professional body for physiotherapists says it is seriously concerned about the lack of job opportunities for physiotherapy graduates, and the subsequent effect on patient care.
The lack of available positions for physiotherapy graduates despite a significant increase in the number of training places available on third-level degree courses was described as a "worrying trend" by Esther-Mary D'Arcy, president of the Irish Society for Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP).
"We are concerned about the impact this is having on patient care in terms of a lack of service, but also the fact that new graduates are finding themselves unemployed," said Ms D'Arcy.
A 2001 report by economic consultants Peter Bacon and Associates recommended an immediate increase of 25 training places be made available in physiotherapy training courses to meet projected demand in the health sector for chartered physiotherapists.
The report also recommended a review of career structures within the profession in order to ensure that the health sector was positioned to deal with the increased placement level.
The undergraduate course in University of Limerick was established in 2002, in addition to the establishment of extra places on the existing courses in TCD, UCD and RCSI. There are currently 152 training places available in physiotherapy.
The whole time equivalent (WTE) ceiling imposed by the HSE had a serious impact on job creation, however, said Ms D'Arcy. "The demand is still there but it is not being serviced as new posts are not being created," she said.
Many of this year's graduates had failed to find full-time employment and were forced to take jobs in a wide variety of other unrelated fields, she said.
"ISCP is concerned that so many new graduates will lose skills if forced to seek work outside physiotherapy. Especially in the first few years after qualification, we recommend that new graduates work in a place where there are experienced physiotherapy staff for referral and advice," said Ms D'Arcy.