Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 November 2025
1055. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if her Department will engage with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science regarding the shortage of radiation therapists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [63235/25]
View answerDepartment of Health officials engage on an ongoing basis with colleagues in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that we train enough graduates with the skills necessary to support the delivery of health and social care services and to develop a strategic approach to workforce planning for the health sector.
As part of the Government’s broader strategy to expand higher education capacity in health and social care disciplines, in June 2025 the Government announced a major expansion in Health and Social Care Profession training places, with 461 new student places to be delivered in nine priority HSCP disciplines by 2028. The expansion will see up to 310 additional student places created in 2025, up to 133 additional places in 2026, and the remainder in subsequent years, in disciplines critical to disability, health, and education services. This includes 23 additional student places in Radiation Therapy over academic years 2025 and 2026 representing a 61% increase on the 2023 baseline of 38 student places.
These additional student places will increase the future supply of health and social care professionals, including radiation therapists, as well as other key roles such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, dietitians, and social workers. I will continue to work closely with colleagues across Government to ensure this vital expansion is sustained and strengthened.
The National Radiation Therapist Review, conducted in 2024, also provides a strategic review of the radiation therapist profession and recommendations are being progressed by the HSE. Funding was allocated to the HSE in 2025 to support actions arising from the 2024 radiation therapist review. This investment includes funding for eight additional staff for radiation therapy services and for six advanced practice posts for radiation therapy. Additional training places are being made available and CORU registration requirements have been changed to bring Irish training requirements in line with international comparators (practice hours have been reduced from 1200 hours to 1000 hours).
The HSE has established an oversight committee to progress the recommendations, some of which have already been implemented.
Key recommendations from the National Radiation Therapist Review include; increased staffing, the development of advanced practice radiation therapist roles, improving recruitment and retention, and career development plans for radiation therapists
