Dáil debates

Thursday, 19 May 2022

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions

Third Level Education

10:30 am

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are two parts to workforce planning. One is whether we are training enough people in any profession. The second is that if we are training enough people whether they choose to stay working in that area or to stay working in Ireland. The role of the Department is to work with line Departments to identify the number of places they believe are required to adequately meet workforce needs. Places are only part of it. I am very clear that we need to train more doctors in this country. It is utterly wrong that people who get the most points possible in the leaving certificate cannot get a place in medicine. We agree on this. I also know that we train quite a lot of doctors in Ireland relative to other countries. It is not just about training. It is also about retention and contracts. It has to do with places and what we do to keep people in the workforce. There is an open invitation to every Department and State agency to engage with my Department on their workforce needs. If the Department of Health or the HSE is of the view that there is a requirement to increase the number of pharmacy places we are ready to speak to them and work with them on it.

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