David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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141. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to increase the number of places for health and social care professionals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26708/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department, the HEA and the higher education institutions are committed to supporting the provision of graduates for the health service through undergraduate and postgraduate provision, with the key competencies and skills to be effective in the health workforce and allow for growth and upskilling in the future. In this regard, my Department will continue to engage with the Department of Health in relation to health workforce planning to ensure the effective delivery of skilled personnel into the future.

I am aware of the high number of CAO applications this year, and officials from my Department are engaging regularly with representatives from the higher education sector in relation to the 2021/22 academic year and demand for places.

€18 million has been provided in Budget 2021 which will build additional capacity in the system and address demographic growth pressures. This is in addition to additional places commencing in 2021, funded through the Human Capital Initiative Pillar 2, which will be on undergraduate courses in areas of identified skills needs.

My Department is monitoring the situation as it develops and my officials are working with the HEA and the Higher Education Institutions to identify where there is scope for additional places to be provided. All bodies involved will continue to work to ensure the availability of a full range of options for applicants in 2021 and in future years.