Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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121. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress that has been made in determining the longer-term skills needs of the healthcare services; the role which the further and higher education sector can play in meeting those skills needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12767/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Ensuring an appropriate pipeline of suitably qualified healthcare professionals is a key priority. The challenges presented by Covid-19 have given extra urgency to the need to address the long-term workforce planning needs of the health system. My Department is strongly committed to supporting the health of the population through the provision of graduates with the key competencies and skills to be effective in the health workforce, and support a range of clinical teams in our health services. 

My Department has been engaging with the Department of Health on the number of places available in areas where the HSE has identified significant skills shortages. The areas identified include, but are not limited it, places in health disciplines such as medicine, nursing, health and social care professionals including Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language therapists, Psychologists, Physiotherapists, Social Workers, Medical Scientists and Dieticians.

In the short term, my officials are engaging with the Higher Education Authority and representatives from the higher education sector on the provision of additional places for the coming academic year, with a focus on areas such as healthcare where there is a need for more skilled graduates. However there are real, material limits on the immediate increases that can be accommodated on highly practical courses such as healthcare courses which involve clinical placements.

In the longer term, the Programme for Government commits the Department of Health to working with the education sectors, regulators, and professional bodies to improve the availability of health professionals and reform their training to support integrated care across the entire health service.  I will ensure that there is continued engagement with all stakeholders to ensure that we deliver graduates with the skills necessary to support our healthcare system and support the strategic workforce planning by the health sector.