Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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148. To ask the Minister for Health the total number of podiatrists currently employed across the Health Service Executive; and the total number of approved posts which are currently unfilled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26423/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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149. To ask the Minister for Health the actions taken by his Department to increase the number of places available for persons to train as podiatrists in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26424/24]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Health and Social Care workforce planning and ensuring an appropriate pipeline of suitably qualified healthcare professionals in Ireland is a top priority for the Government. My Department is committed to ensuring that there is an appropriate supply of healthcare professionals, including podiatrists, to meet the increasing demand for health services.

I recognise the importance of the provision of podiatry services to those who need it. I especially recognise the important role that podiatrists play in the operation of specialist diabetes teams within the Enhanced Community Care (ECC) Programme which supports people with complicated type 2 diabetes.

The Department of Health is working in collaboration with the Department of Further and Higher Education Research Innovation and Science and the Higher Education Sector to significantly increase the number of student training places across Medicine, Nursing and Midwifery, and the Health and Social Care Professions.

I am pleased that an additional 27 podiatry student places have been provided in the Higher Education Sector on health-related courses in the academic year 2023/24, including 2 podiatry student places in Northern Ireland.

The number of registered podiatrists continues to increase in Ireland. As of the 31st of May 2024, there are 343 registered podiatrists working in Ireland. This is up from 285 at the end of 2023 and 135 at the end of 2022.

I am fully supportive of efforts to increase the number of podiatry graduates that will practice, and support workforce sustainability, in Ireland.