Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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785. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to clarify if he has engaged with the universities with a view to increasing the number of Irish students who can access dentistry courses in view of the fact that there is a substantial increase in the population and also taking into account the number of dentists who will be retiring over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30601/23]

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, including all suitably qualified dental professionals, is a major priority for my Department.

In March I received recommendations from the HEA in respect of the Expressions of Interest process in which were sought submissions regarding possible expansion of places in five disciplines – Dentistry, Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, and Veterinary.

Last week I announced, along with the Minister for Health and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the findings of this report which has found, with investment, an additional 63 dentists, 208 doctors, 692 nurses, 196 pharmacists, and 230 vets could potentially be trained annually.

These options could result in an increase of up to 5,000 in total third-level enrolments in these disciplines, with 315 of these potential total enrolments identified in dentistry. This increase is subject to a forthcoming process which will now begin to cross-reference available options with the ongoing demand in the health care and veterinary areas and to agree costs and funding.

I will continue to engage closely on this matter with Government colleagues to advance the process with investment to be considered in the context of Budgetary processes and the National Development Plan review.