Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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318. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to the proposed expansion in the number of dentists to be trained in Ireland, if he will set out the optimum number he believes should be catered for annually in third level colleges in Ireland; his plans to expand the number of dentistry places available at University College Cork and Trinity College Dublin; the plans he has to provide a new dental school and hospital at UCC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19910/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Planning for current and future public sector skills needs is a priority for my Department. My Department is closely engaging with the Department of Health to expand and maximise healthcare workforce capacity, including oral healthcare workforce capacity, in Ireland. It is important to note 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.

Currently each year approximately 90 new graduates qualify to practise dentistry in Ireland. According to Department of Health figures, as of 2 April 2024 the number of dentists on the Dental Council register have increased, compared to March 2023. Currently there are 180 additional registered dentists (3,652 total) since this time last year. This reflects ongoing trends regarding registered dentists in the state, and compares favourably with the numbers in April 2019, when Smile agus Sláinte was published – 3,100.

There is no quota placed on dental courses by my Department, and therefore the places offered are a matter for the higher education institutions, in line with their autonomy. However due to the high level of practical work involved there can be material constraints on the number of students that can be accepted onto dentistry courses.

The Governing Authority of a University has responsibility under the Universities Act, 1997 for oversight of the governance and strategic direction of the university including the approval of expenditure for major capital and investment projects, and providing strategic direction and managing the financial affairs of the university to ensure value for money and its financial viability.

The Higher Education Authority recently undertook an Expressions of Interest (EOI) process to identify options for developing substantial medium-term additional capacity in a range of priority healthcare disciplines including Dentistry.

In June 2023 Minister Simon Harris and Minister Stephen Donnelly announced details of the potential options identified under this process. I am continuing to engage closely on this matter with Government colleagues to advance the process.