Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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128. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the inadequate stream of third level graduates to meet the demands of the workplace with particular reference to the medical professions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52297/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The National Skills Strategy 2025 identifies Ireland’s current skills profile, provides a strategic vision and specific objectives for Ireland’s future skills requirements, and sets out a road map for how the vision and objectives can be achieved across the education and training sector.

There are over 36,500 students enrolled in health and welfare programmes.  This represents an increase of 21.4% between 2010 and 2016 and 17% of total enrolments in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).

In 2015/16, nearly half of all enrolments in health and welfare programmes were made up of nursing and midwifery (9,566, i.e. 26%) and medicine (8,513, i.e. 23%). Nursing numbers remain relatively consistent with preceding years, while medical enrolments increased significantly.

In other programmes, notable trends include the increases in social services (up 140%), combined health and welfare (257%), combined health (129%), pharmacy (57%) and childcare and youth services (57%). A more modest increase was seen in therapy and rehabilitation (16%), while enrolments in dental studies and medical diagnostic and treatment technology declined (by 3% and 53% respectively).

Provision of HE programmes is generally determined by the HSE setting quotas for the number of students that should be taken onto such education programmes. At that stage, the health and higher education systems engage as to the training needs and funding for that quota of students is allocated.

A cross sectorial steering group was convened by the Department of Health in mid-2016 to develop a strategic framework for health and social care workforce planning for Ireland.  ‘Working Together For Health - A National Strategic Framework for Health Workforce Planning’ was approved by the Minister for Health at the end of October 2017 with the objective of supporting the recruitment and retention of the right mix of health workers across the health system to meet planned and projected service need. 

The Department of Education and Skills (DES) was represented on the Steering Group and will be cooperating fully during the implementation of the strategic framework.