Manus Boyle (Fine Gael)

I welcome the students from Buncrana in my home county. It is great to see some Donegal people in here. There do not be many of us in, as it is so far away.

I wish to discuss dental hygienists. There is a lack of college places. Trinity College Dublin and UCC provide courses, but they are limited for professionals who are in high demand. In Cork, there are eight opportunities for placements. In Trinity, I am told there are 12 opportunities for placements.

Dental nurses who approach me are frustrated. They cannot further their education because of the limited courses in Ireland. Some have applied three years in a row and have still not got anywhere with it. There is a massive demand in the service for dental hygienists, not only in County Donegal, but all across Ireland. We need to multiply the number of courses without delay. Where are the opportunities to get these courses enhanced and going? We have a great college in County Donegal - the ATU in Letterkenny - with a brilliant campus in Killybegs. Perhaps the ATU could come on board and try to get dental hygienist courses up and going in Donegal.Oral health is very important for everybody so I would like to see a demand created for these courses. I know from the feedback I have got in Donegal that there is demand for these courses but, sadly, people must travel either to England or somewhere else to get trained because they cannot get on the courses.