Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand there are four treatment machines currently idle because there is a shortfall of 34% in the number of radiation therapist. There was also a survey done which indicates that over 60% of the current radiation therapists intend leaving within the next five years.

As regards funding for postgraduates, those who have already got a primary degree and want to go on to do radiation therapy, I understand there is no funding for them to do that course.

Currently, Cork has 12 postgraduate places. It is a two-year course. Therefore, one is fast-tracking the qualification. If we can expand that, but also give funding and grants to those who take on that course because I understand it is not available at present, it would be one way of expediting the system.

Trinity provides a four-year course with 30 places per annum. Therefore, there is a total of 42 places.

We have a huge challenge now. It is something that we need to give priority to, in particular when we have radiation machines lying idle because we do not have the required number of radiation therapists.

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