Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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157. To ask the Minister for Health if her Department has entered into discussions with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science with a view to opening a new community based outpatient dental centre in Cork city, and that the necessary finance will be provided to establish such a facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2565/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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My Department continues to engage with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) with regards to increasing the capacity of Irish/EU students at Cork University Dental School and Hospital in University College Cork (UCC).

As part of this engagement, the Department of Health has received a proposal from UCC requesting €4.7 million in capital funding to establish a new community based outreach dental centre in Cork city. This would enable the training of additional undergraduate students in the dentistry programme, in a primary care setting, benefiting both Irish and EU students.

To access funding for this project, UCC were advised by my Department that the next step was for them to formalise their proposal for capital funding with the relevant Integrated Health Area within the HSE Region (HSE South West) and submit same to the HSE Centre for evaluation of the capital project against criteria outlined in the Strategic Healthcare Investment Framework (SHIF). SHIF is an evidence-informed framework that ensures all capital proposals are evidence-based, outcome-focused, and aligned with strategic needs.

While the proposal is promising, it currently delivers limited increases in domestic student places. Discussions are currently ongoing between my Department and DFHERIS to try and progress this proposal with a view to maximising both Irish and EU places to enhance workforce capacity in Ireland, as well as increased service provision.

My Department remains committed to ensuring that our oral healthcare system is supported by a steady and sustainable pipeline of highly skilled graduates. Ensuring adequate capacity to train future dentists is part of the Government's commitment to workforce planning that supports the health and wellbeing of our population.

Joe Cooney (Clare, Fine Gael)
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158. To ask the Minister for Health the number of WTE dentists and dental nurse posts filled at each health centre in County Clare for 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2567/26]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.