Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 October 2025
39. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress that has been made to date in increasing the number of places for Irish students in dentistry colleges in Cork and Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55462/25]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the new Dentistry programme in Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) commenced intake of 20 students in September this year. This new Bachelor of Dental Surgery will train students in a community-based model of dental education, significantly increasing the number of dentistry training places available nationally and expanding access to dentistry training. An additional eight places are due to commence this course next September, and seven the following September bringing the total annual EU intake in this course to 35 places. This will represent a 60% increase on dental training places in Ireland compared to 2024.
There are now three undergraduate programmes for Dentistry, including the existing programmes in Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork. This is as a result of the initial HEA Expression of Interest process.
My Department does not place a quota on dentistry programmes, and therefore the number of places offered is a matter for the higher education institutions, in line with their autonomy. However, I do acknowledge that due to a number of factors including the high cost of specialised equipment and facilities required for dentistry training, there can be material constraints on the number of students that can be accepted onto dentistry courses.
It is important that any increases in training provision is achieved in a sustainable way with an evidence based understanding of the future needs of the health system and in collaboration with the Dental Council. My officials have been engaging with officials in the Oral Health unit of the Department of Health regarding Dentistry training provision in both Dublin and Cork. We are continuing to engage with the higher education sector, the HEA and colleagues in Department of Health to ensure sustainable increases in student places while maintaining high quality training in Dentistry.
