Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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344. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the review of Ireland’s skills strategy being undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development incorporates an examination of whether there is currently a sufficient number of places available in psychology at third-level institutions here to service annual HSE recruitment needs under the Progressing Disability Services model for both children and adults with a disability; if this review by the OECD has commenced; the timeframe for its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21706/22]

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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345. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the review of Ireland’s skills strategy being undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development incorporates an examination of whether there is currently a sufficient number of places available in clinical nutrition at third-level institutions here to service annual HSE recruitment needs under the Progressing Disability Services model for both children and adults with a disability; if this review by the OECD has commenced; the timeframe for its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21707/22]

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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346. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the review of Ireland’s skills strategy being undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development incorporates an examination of whether there is currently a sufficient number of places available in occupational therapy at third-level institutions here to service annual HSE recruitment needs under the Progressing Disability Services model for both children and adults with a disability; if this review by the OECD has commenced; the timeframe for its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21708/22]

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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347. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the review of Ireland’s skills strategy being undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development incorporates an examination of whether there is currently a sufficient number of places available in paediatrics at third-level institutions here to service annual HSE recruitment needs under the Progressing Disability Services model for children with a disability; if this review by the OECD has commenced; the timeframe for its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21709/22]

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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348. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the review of Ireland’s skills strategy being undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development incorporates an examination of whether there is currently a sufficient number of places available in psychiatry at third-level institutions here to service annual HSE recruitment needs under the Progressing Disability Services model for both children and adults with a disability; if this review by the OECD has commenced; the timeframe for its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21710/22]

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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349. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the review of Ireland’s skills strategy being undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development incorporates an examination of whether there is currently a sufficient number of places available in social work at third-level institutions here to service annual HSE recruitment needs under the Progressing Disability Services model for both children and adults with a disability; if this review by the OECD has commenced; the timeframe for its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21711/22]

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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350. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the review of Ireland’s skills strategy being undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development incorporates an examination of whether there is currently a sufficient number of places available in intellectual disability related nursing at third-level institutions here to service annual HSE recruitment needs under the Progressing Disability Services model for both children and adults with a disability; if this review by the OECD has commenced; the timeframe for its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21712/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 344 to 350, inclusive, together.

Ireland’s overall approach to skills and training is outlined in the National Skills Strategy 2016 - 2025 (NSS) which is designed to benefit all people living in Ireland. It recognises that skills policy is an area of enormous importance - informing how people in Ireland live, work, learn and thrive. The development of skills and human capital is an integral part of the Government’s long-term plan for a sustainable and inclusive economy that serves the whole of its society including those with disabilities.

In order to ensure that the skills system continues to evolve and remains responsive and agile to the needs of all citizens, the National Economic Recovery Plan included a commitment to review Ireland’s skills strategies, architectures and approaches, including the NSS. In November 2021, I launched the review of the skills strategy and architecture in the shape of an OECD Skills Strategy Project, which will roll out through 2022. The review is rooted in stakeholder engagement and will examine four priority areas:

1. Securing balance in skills through a responsive and diversified supply of skills;

2. Fostering greater participation in lifelong learning in and outside of the workplace;

3. Strengthening the governance across a joined up skills ecosystem, and

4. Leveraging skills to drive innovation and strengthen the performance of firms.

The OECD Skills Strategy Project will support a holistic examination of our Skills Strategy and architecture to ensure that Ireland is best equipped to meet current and future skills needs with the imperative that Irish workforce meets the societal demands of all, inclusive of those with disabilities.

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 to, places in health disciplines such as medicine, nursing, health and social care professionals such as Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language therapists, Psychologists, Physiotherapists, Social Workers, Medical Scientists and Dieticians.

In the short term, my officials are actively 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.

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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351. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if it is proposed to increase the number of university places in Ireland for pharmacy positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21725/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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.  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 does not place a quota on the number of pharmacy places offered by higher education institutions, and as such the number of places provided each year is determined by the institutions themselves. in line with their capacity. A number of additional places have been provided in recent years, leading to the highest number of new entrants beginning their studies in 2020, the most recent year for which statistics are available.

My officials are actively engaging with the Department of Health on determining the longer term skills needs of the healthcare services, and the role which the further and higher education sector can play in meeting those skills needs. 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.