Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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514. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the initiatives that he is planning to increase the number of occupational therapists and speech and language therapists qualifying on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48404/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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. This includes occupational therapists and speech and language therapists.

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.