Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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77. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide further details on the additional 1,056 places in higher education specifying the numbers that will be added to in-demand courses; the number of places that are over and above what is needed to meet demographic demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36796/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 62 and 77 together.

On 28^thJune, I announced the creation of over one thousand college places across a range of disciplines, including welfare, nursing, ICT, architecture and construction, engineering and environment. These places are available from September 2022.

The places were created following extensiveengagements between my Department, the HEA and the higher education sector. The places are in areas of key skills needs, as identified by the national skills architecture, and will be permanent additions in the system. A significant effort was made to increase the capacity of in demand courses which will address areas of skills shortages. The Minister for Health and I will bring a memo to government in the coming weeks outlining a five year plan to secure additional medicine places.

A breakdown of the additional places is in the table below:

It is important to create these places in a sustainable way, taking into consideration the requirements of the expanded facilities, lecturing expertise and clinical and other placements needed, and to do so in areas that open up continuing career opportunities for learners.