Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 January 2026
332. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if measures will be introduced to ensure the availability of more places for Irish students in dental schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4518/26]
View answerThe Government is firmly committed to ensuring that Ireland’s healthcare system is supported by a steady and sustainable pipeline of highly skilled graduates, including in the area of oral healthcare and dentistry. My Department, working closely with the Department of Health, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and higher education institutions, plays a central role in supporting education and training capacity to meet evolving workforce needs.
Until recently, approximately 60 places per annum were available to Irish and EU students on dentistry programmes. I recognise that this represents a limited training pipeline at a time when demand for oral healthcare services is increasing. While the allocation of student places is a matter for higher education institutions, reflecting their autonomy and the significant practical and clinical constraints associated with dentistry programmes, my Department works collaboratively with relevant stakeholders to explore sustainable expansion where appropriate.
In this context, I welcome the establishment of a new Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, which commenced in 2025 following a targeted capacity expansion exercise led by the HEA. This programme will provide at least 20 additional dentistry places per annum for Irish and EEA students, representing a significant increase in national training capacity.
In addition, University College Cork has submitted a proposal to the Department of Health for capital funding to establish a dental outreach centre in North Cork. This initiative has the potential to increase undergraduate intake by a further 10 students annually and aligns with the community-based model set out in the Smile agus Sláinte national oral health policy. Discussions are currently ongoing between my Department and the Department of Health to progress this proposal and to maximise Irish and EU student places in order to ensure value for money. Separately, UCC is refurbishing its Dental School and Hospital at a cost of €15 million, co-funded by the Department of Health and the University.
More broadly, I am informed that the Department of Health is progressing a workforce census framework for the oral healthcare sector, which will provide a strong evidence base to inform future policy and training decisions. My Department stands ready to engage further with the Department of Health, the HEA and higher education institutions to ensure that dental education capacity continues to develop in a sustainable and evidence-based manner.
I want to assure the Deputy that expanding access to dental education for Irish students, where supported by clear workforce demand and system capacity, remains a priority for this Government, and I will continue to actively pursue this objective in partnership with all relevant stakeholders.
