Ms Megan O'Connor:

The quick answer, unfortunately, is "No". There is a long list of reasons for that. The availability of occupational therapists is not where it needs to be in higher education institutions. Also, even if the funding is allocated, there is a struggle to recruit these therapists. We see a number of colleges around the country offering a course like that with a maximum student number of about 50. However, we need to be cognisant of the fact that where we are trying to increase the student numbers we must ensure there are provisions to support them through their studies. If we are going to increase the number of healthcare students, we need to work very closely with the Department of Health to ensure that they have appropriate placements available to them so they can meet the minimum requirements set by CORU, which is the professional regulatory body.

I have completed a nursing degree and we are seeing students flee the country after graduation for better opportunities because the payment in the sector is not what they believe is sufficient for the skills set they have and for the four years they spent in college studying. They are being offered much better elsewhere. We need to work closely with the Department of Health to ensure that these students and new graduates are being supported and valued, and that they are being given equitable opportunities when entering the workforce. It is a major problem, and there are many stakeholders involved in that. We are definitely going to see the knock-on implications of that being an unappealing or insufficient role to play in the State.