Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 196: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she proposes to establish a College of Podiatry; and, if so, when and where will it be located. [8014/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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In January of this year I, along with my colleague the Minister for Education and Science, announced the provision of funding to establish a new degree programme and associated clinic for the education of podiatrists (chiropodists) in Ireland. The FÁS 'Healthcare Skills Monitoring Report' August 2005 identified podiatry as an occupation with long term supply shortfalls and recommended the establishment of a BSc in Podiatry. The provision of a school is a particular priority with the increased need for services due to the aging population and the significant increase in diabetes. The availability of podiatry services has been shown internationally to improve or maintain the mobility of older persons and reduce the requirement for more extensive health services. Both my Department and the Department of Education and Science along with the Health Service Executive and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) are working to establish a school of podiatry which will provide a 4 year degree program leading to a BSc in podiatry. An annual intake of 25 students is planned.

The HEA, working in partnership with a health care provider, has issued a call for proposals to higher education institutes for the establishment of a school and are currently awaiting responses. It will then be necessary for a comprehensive evaluation of any responses before a decision in relation to the school, including its location, can be reached.