Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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557. To ask the Minister for Health to provide a timeline for delivering the 3.5 WTE radiation therapy practice tutor posts for which funding has been approved by her Department; if these posts will be filled this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22698/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Department of Health officials are engaging with the HSE regarding the provision of clinical placement supports in each of the five public radiotherapy facilities at Galway University Hospital, Cork University Hospital and three sites in Dublin through the St. Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network (SLRON).

The Higher Education Authority are actively engaging with Higher Education Institutions on expansion of HSCP disciplines for 2025. Currently 1.5 WTE Radiation Therapy practice tutor posts are being funded through the Higher Education Authority. Funding for the remaining 3.5 WTEs is approved by the Department of Health and will be provided on the basis that this will deliver at a minimum the proposed 68% increase in first year training places in radiation therapy and that capacity in Galway is fully availed of for clinical placements for both courses as part of the agreement.

The HSE are developing a sustainable infrastructure for the delivery of clinical practice placements. Each of the six HSE Health Regions will be allocated a HSCP Regional Integration Development Lead. In May 2025 four of these HSCP Regional Integration Development Posts will be in place. The final two are going through the HSE appointment process following completion of interviews. The goal is for each of the six HSE Health Regions to have a team of three to support clinical practice placements by end of this year.