Salary scales:

Occupational therapist - £17,982 to £23,549 in 11 annual increments. Further increment of £24,019 after three years at the top of the scale.

Senior occupational therapist - £19,793 to £25,652 in eight annual increments.

Occupational therapist, head 11 - £22,303 to £27,397 in six annual increments.

Occupational therapist, head 1 - £23,309 to £29,337 in six annual increments.

Salary scales supplied by the Department of Health. A review is currently under way.

Courses:

TCD: four-year degree. 1999 cut-off points: 495* (* means random selection applied; not all applicants with this points level were offered a place); 30 first-year places.

UU: four-year degree. Minimum Leaving Certificate requirements are four As and two B1s at higher level. There are about 50 first-year places.

A number of colleges in England also offer occupational therapy - see UCAS handbook for details.

Professional association:

The Association of Occupational Therapists in Ireland, 29 Gardiner Place, Dublin 1; phone (01) 878 0247. Up to 300 members.

Definition:

"Occupational therapy is the treatment of physical and psychiatric conditions through specific activities to help people reach their maximum level of function and independence in all aspects of daily life." The World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Course

Places on the State's only occupational therapy course are limited so entry is very competitive. Last year, the cut-off points were 495*.

There are also courses in Britain and Northern Ireland but entry requirements are also high. Carlow IT offers an alternative route into paramedical courses via its certificate in applied physiology and health science. However, it has become something of a victim of its own success, with cut-off points of 400 last year.

This two-year course can act as a route into degree level therapy and para-medical courses in Britain. Carlow IT also offers a two-year add-on BSc in human physiology and rehabilitation.

This year, Sligo IT is offering a somewhat similar course - a diploma in health science with physiology.