Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 March 2025
60. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the Higher Education Authority has reached agreement with third level institutions to increase the number of training places for dental students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14520/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials are working closely with the Department of Health to expand the healthcare workforce capacity of the country, including oral healthcare.
My Department does not place a quota on dental courses, 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 high level of practical work there can be material constraints on the number of students that can be accepted onto dentistry courses.
The provision of healthcare programmes is complex and involves many different parts of the system. It is important that any increases in places are done in a sustainable way with an evidence based understanding of the future needs of the health system.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) ran an exercise to identify options for the creation of additional capacity in a range of priority healthcare disciplines including Dentistry. A number of dentistry options were identified. Following recommendations received from the HEA, it was announced on 18th October 2024 that several universities will establish new programmes in areas of Dentistry, Medicine and Pharmacy. The programmes included support for a new Bachelor of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI), which 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 dental services. This programme will provide at least 20 new dentistry places per annum for Irish/EEA students from 2025 onwards.
It is worth emphasising that my Department is not in a position to specify the workforce planning demand requirements for any discipline – this must come from the relevant line Department. It is my understanding that the Department of Health is commencing work on a workforce scoping project and skills assessment across the oral healthcare sector.
