Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of persons trained in pharmacy each year; and if the high points requirement to enter this profession indicates the need for additional training places. [27818/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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In November 1999, the HEA published a study on the demand and need for graduates in Pharmacy. The study was undertaken on behalf of the HEA by Peter Bacon and Associates, Economic Consultants. At that time, the only course was in Trinity College Dublin and provided 70 graduates per annum.

The Bacon report recommended that at least 50 extra graduates per annum would be required to fill the positions that will exist in the medium term. A forum on the Need for Pharmacy Graduates was held in 2000 which allowed for a response to Dr. Bacon's report and a report of the forum was submitted to the then Minister for Education and Science for consideration. The Minister asked the HEA to seek proposals from the 3rd level sector to provide for an increase of 50 pharmacy graduates a year. The call was issued in August 2000.

University College Cork and the Royal College of Surgeons were successful in the bidding process. It was then agreed that a total of 80 new places should be allocated. The RCSI course commenced in 2002/03 with an intake of 50 students. This intake went back to 30 in 2003/04 when the UCC pharmacy course commenced with an intake of 50 students.

There are now 150 places in undergraduate pharmacy for Irish/ EU students. In August 2005, FAS published a 'Healthcare Skills Monitoring Report' which reviewed the demand for healthcare professionals. In relation to pharmacy, the report stated that the current number of university places, along with re-entry to the market of registered but non-practicing pharmacists, and immigration, will ensure a reasonable balance between demand and supply.

High points requirements are not necessarily an indicator of a need for extra places, but rather an indication that the number of places is below the demand for places.