John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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2579. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware of score requirement to apply for admission to a course (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21222/25]

John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)
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2580. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are plans in place to increase the number of places available to undertake a MSc occupational therapy (professional qualification) in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21223/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 2579 and 2580 together.

The provision of qualified graduates in therapy disciplines is a priority for my Department. The postgraduate pathway in therapy disciplines provides an important route for students who have previously completed an undergraduate degree to the entry requirement standard. It is important to note that Higher Education Institutions set their own entry criteria to their programmes in line with their autonomy, including the requirement to undertake the HPAT exam.

The delivery of healthcare programmes is complex and requires multiple parts of the health and education systems working together. Practice education placements are essential to support clinical skills development and the application of theory to patient care and attainment of regulatory required standards of proficiency where applicable.

In July 2024, Government approved the prioritisation of funding to support the expansion of training places in priority healthcare areas including Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy, as well as Physiotherapy.

This funding will contribute to delivering expansion in the region of 35% in these vital disciplines over the next two academic years. Additional places that commenced in September 2024 include expanded intakes on Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Podiatric Medicine programmes in University of Galway, Physiotherapy in RCSI and the introduction of an undergraduate Occupational Therapy programme in University of Limerick.

In addition, 83 additional allied health places for were made available in Ulster University in September 2024. These places included 25 Physiotherapy places, 27 Occupational Therapy and eight Speech and language therapy places. These students are undertaking their practice education placements in healthcare settings in Northern Ireland.

An Interdepartmental working group has been established with senior officials in my Department, the Department of Health, as well as the HSE, the Department of Education and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and the HEA. Work is underway to increase the number of therapy discipline places in higher education programmes.