Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)

I thank the Deputy. I hear what he is saying. The document I have here tells me the Department of Health stated the Dental Council has reported a steady increase in the number of registered dentists since 2016 from 2,949 to 3,971 today. As of 2022, there were 2,420 practising dentists in Ireland, marking a 3.9% increase from the previous year. The number of registered dentists per 100,000 population has risen from 61 in 2019 to nearly 72 today. I agree with the Deputy that it is a modest increase and the need is very great but it is going in the right direction. There are currently about 100 dentistry graduates annually.

On the Deputy’s specific question about funding for north Cork, the Department has received a strong proposal requesting €4.7 million to establish a dental outreach centre. UCC currently admits 50 dentistry students annually, 25 EU and 25 non-EU, and this outreach centre would increase this to 60. Furthermore, the proposal allows for additional dental hygienist and dental nursing places in UCC. While the proposal is promising, it currently delivers limited increases in domestic student places. There is a clear opportunity for both Departments to collaborate further to maximize investment and expand domestic training capacity to meet Ireland's dental workforce needs.

Discussions are currently ongoing between the Department of Health and my Department to try to progress this proposal with a view to maximising Irish and EU places to obtain value for money for this proposal. Further engagement with UCC is ongoing to finalise funding and maximise Irish-EU places.

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