Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 December 2025
352. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health her plans to increase capacity at University College Cork's Dental School following the decision not to build a new dental school; if she will reverse the decision not to move forward with the new build; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70715/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy should note that my officials are continuing to collaborate with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science with a view to examining the expansion of dental training places in University College Cork (UCC).
As part of this engagement, my Department has received a strong proposal from UCC requesting €4.7 million in capital funding to establish a new dental community-based training facility in Cork. This would enable the training of additional undergraduate students in a primary care setting, benefiting both Irish and EU students.
While the proposal is promising, it currently delivers limited increases in domestic student places. Discussions are currently ongoing between my Department and the Department of Further and Higher Education to further maximise the benefits this proposal will bring with a view to expanding Irish and EU places to help meet the required oral healthcare workforce capacity in Ireland.
My Department proactively engaged with UCC throughout 2024 regarding the construction of a new dental school and hospital in Cork. Several options were considered and my Department offered €25 million in capital funding to assist in fitting out a new dental school and hospital which was estimated to cost in excess of €74 million. A decision was made by UCC not to proceed with the new dental school and hospital, but instead to refurbish the existing Cork University Dental School and Hospital, and to develop a new primary care dental facility in Cork. This refurbishment, at a total cost of €15m, is being co-funded by my Department and UCC.
Work is ongoing through the appropriate processes to explore all options to support UCC to deliver on its remit regarding both education and healthcare service provision.
