Occupational therapy (OT) supports people to live as independently as possible. Its impact is profound, often seen in the small but significant moments that make daily life feel manageable and more meaningful.
As a profession, OT crosses many areas of health and social care, giving practitioners the opportunity to work across a wide range of settings and specialisms. Around the world, demand is being driven by ageing populations, increased recognition of mental health and wellbeing, the expansion of community-based and integrated care services, and a greater focus on disability inclusion and accessibility.
As Yvonne Phelan, Programme Development Lead for the MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) programme at Portobello Institute, puts it: “If something occupies a person’s time, occupational therapy can help with it.”
Why Ireland Needs More Occupational Therapists
If you’re considering a career in OT, you may be asking: are occupational therapists in demand in Ireland? The answer is yes. CORU, Ireland's multi-profession health regulator, reported 3,900 registered occupational therapists in its 2025 register. 1,778 of those registrations came from Irish graduates.
Looking ahead, the ESRI projects that HSE primary and community care services will need an additional 300 to 383 occupational therapists by 2040, signalling a positive employment outlook.
With demand expected to grow, the next question is how to enter the profession. Many aspiring occupational therapists already have a background in health science and are considering returning to education at postgraduate level to build on existing knowledge and develop specialist skills.
Others may be at an earlier stage of their journey and exploring undergraduate study, such as Portobello Institute's BSc (Hons) Applied Health Science, as a foundation for a future career in OT.
For those who meet the entry requirements, the MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) at Portobello Institute offers a recognised pathway towards becoming an occupational therapist, with graduates able to pursue CORU registration and work as OTs in Ireland.
What Does an Occupational Therapist Do?
Occupational therapists help people live meaningful, independent, and fulfilling lives. They support individuals facing illness, injury, disability, trauma, or social challenges to take part in the activities that matter to them.
OTs provide therapy to people of all ages and abilities, including:
- Children and young people with developmental, sensory, learning, or physical challenges
- Adults recovering from illness or injury, such as stroke, acquired brain injury, or orthopaedic trauma
- People experiencing mental health difficulties
- Individuals with intellectual disabilities
- People living with neurological or long-term health conditions
- Older adults who need support to maintain their independence, mobility, and safety at home
- Individuals who require adaptations to their home, workplace, or community environment
As an occupational therapist, no two days are exactly the same. OTs work with people to understand their needs, carry out assessments, and deliver occupation-focused, person-centred interventions that help them take part in activities more confidently and independently.
Where Can Occupational Therapy Take You?
Insights From OT Yvonne Phelan
Yvonne Phelan is an Ireland-based occupational therapist specialising in paediatrics. Alongside running her own practice, she is Programme Development Lead for the MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) at Portobello Institute.
When considering an occupational therapy career, Yvonne encourages prospective students to think beyond job numbers alone. Demand is also about the range of opportunities available, the flexibility of the profession, and whether occupational therapy feels like the right fit for your life, aspirations, and the way you want to work.
One of the biggest strengths of occupational therapy is its variety. As Yvonne explains, “Even in my own role, I'm self-employed and doing a huge range of things. I run my own clinic, contract for other organisations, carry out assessments, build sensory spaces and now work with Portobello Institute as well.”
She highlights that occupational therapists can work in mental health, rehabilitation, older adult care, nursing homes, community services, independent living programmes, and private practice.
They may support people experiencing anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, or other mental health conditions, or help people rebuild independence after illness or injury in physical rehabilitation settings.
There are also roles in assistive equipment, housing adaptations, workplace support, paediatrics, autism, ADHD and school-based services. Yvonne points out that school-based occupational therapy is growing in Ireland, alongside emerging opportunities in prison services and refugee support.
“We haven't even touched on teaching, which is another fantastic pathway,” she adds. “There are so many people moving into education, and many programmes are looking for occupational therapists to contribute to teaching and training.”
What About Working as an Occupational Therapist Abroad?
The variety Yvonne describes is not limited to Ireland. For occupational therapists, the breadth of the profession can also open up opportunities to work internationally.
Closer to home, the UK has a large and established occupational therapy workforce, while countries further afield such as New Zealand and Australia actively seek qualified occupational therapists to support growing healthcare needs.
In New Zealand, occupational therapists are included on the government's Green List of high-demand occupations. This means eligible professionals who meet the required qualifications, registration, and experience criteria may have access to streamlined visa and residency pathways.
International opportunities can be significant, although individuals must check the specific registration, qualification, and visa requirements for the country where they wish to practise.
As the MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) is a UK-accredited master’s degree awarded by Health Sciences University, it presents a viable pre-registration route to practise in the UK, subject to programme approval by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Yvonne reflects: “You can work almost anywhere in the world as an OT. I was able to move to London, become registered and start working very quickly. There are opportunities to build a career wherever you want to go.”
Become Part of a Growing Profession
Portobello Institute’s MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) offers a pathway into the growing occupational therapy profession – whether you're a recent health science graduate or a healthcare professional looking to return to education and take the next step in your career.
Learn from practising occupational therapists, including Yvonne Phelan and her team, gain hands-on experience through placements, and develop the knowledge and skills needed to prepare for practice in OT.
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