Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

212. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will give serious consideration to launching a structured graduate programme that would support the 35% of cardiac physiologists who are not trained in echocardiography and bring them to the point of certification; if fees for same will be covered by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47457/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The matter of health workforce planning and ensuring an appropriate pipeline of qualified healthcare workers within Ireland, is a major priority for my Department. 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 officials are actively engaging with the Department of Health and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that we can continue to deliver graduates with the skills necessary to support our healthcare system and support the strategic workforce planning by the health sector.