Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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1020. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will actively engage with the three third-level institutions which offer pharmacy degree programmes, namely University College Cork, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland and Trinity College Dublin, to increase the number of places available to study same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12937/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Higher Education Authority has completed the first stage of an expression of interest process for Higher Education Institutionsinterested in building capacity in Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry and Veterinary.

The second stage of this process is currently underway, involving the review of applications from the EOI process by an Expert Advisory Panel.

The Higher Education Authority will consider opportunities for new programme provision alongside options for current programme expansion to determine a final list of options to present to me by the end of quarter one this year.

My Department will consider these options together with the Department of Health, having regard to workforce plans and projected demand for graduates from that Department.