Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 June 2024
85. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of additional third level places coming on stream for the start of the 2024-2025 academic year pertinent to the staffing needs of children’s disability network teams, specifically in occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, psychology and social work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27053/24]
View answer462 permanent additional places in healthcare disciplines were introduced in September 2023 in Irish higher education institutions. In addition, last September saw an innovative cross border collaboration with the Government funding of 80 additional health and social care places in Ulster University.
There is ongoing engagement with my Department and the Department of Health, HSE and the Higher Education Sector to progress additional places in health and social care programmes for the upcoming academic year. Engagements are also underway to extend the cross-border arrangements.
Recently I launched the Social Work Apprenticeship and Social Work Tertiary Degree with the National Tertiary Office. Tusla was a critical partner in the development of this offering. My Department is exploring new ways for students to enter higher education in areas of acute skills needs. I look forward to examining the possibilities in replicating this across other disciplines in the future.
Having the necessary clinical placements is a critical enabler of expansion. My officials are working with the HSCP office in the Department of Health to ensure their is a sustainable supply of clinical placements and appropriate HSE staff in place.
I am committed to working with the Minister for Health and the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, and the Minister for Education to progress this work.
