I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department and officials from the Department of Health have been actively engaging with both Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork regarding the provision of dentistry training places, with a particular focus on increasing the number of places available to Irish and EU students.
Until recently, approximately 60 dentistry places per year were available to Irish and EU students, split evenly between Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork. This intake level remained broadly consistent in both 2022 and 2023.
While the number of places offered in 2024 remains at around 60, this is set to increase significantly. From September 2025, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) will introduce a new Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme, which will provide at least 20 additional places annually for Irish and EEA students. This represents a 33% increase in national dentistry training capacity.
Furthermore, RCSI is developing proposals for a further 15 additional places from 2027, subject to the necessary approvals.
In parallel, my Department, in collaboration with the Department of Health, is continuing to engage with University College Cork on proposals to expand its dentistry intake. Discussions in this regard are ongoing.
These actions form part of a broader strategic effort by Government to expand the healthcare workforce, in line with the Programme for Government commitment to increase higher education places in key areas such as dentistry. My Department, the Higher Education Authority, and higher education institutions remain committed to supporting the Department of Health and the HSE to ensure that dental education is sustainably expanded to meet the needs of the national health workforce.
