Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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200. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will engage with Cork Dental Hospital with a view to increasing the number of training places for dental hygienists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2562/26]

Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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201. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will engage with Cork Dental Hospital to increase the number of training places for dental nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2563/26]

Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
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202. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department will provide additional finance to University College Cork and Cork Dental Hospital to increase the number of trainee places for dental students in view of the fact that the number of places currently available is the same number as 20 years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2564/26]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 to 202, inclusive, together.

The Government is committed to expanding dental training capacity to meet growing oral healthcare needs. Officials in my Department have engaged with the higher education sector, the Higher Education Authority and the Department of Health regarding increasing the training places of all dentistry disciplines. including dental nurses, dental hygienists and dentists. Discussions are ongoing between the Department of Health, my Department, the HEA and UCC to progress the proposed expansion of dental training to ensure the best possible value for money and the maximum number of places for Irish/EU students.Targeted expansion of training in key healthcare areas has resulted in the establishment of a new Bachelor of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), which started in September 2025. This programme commenced with 20 places in 2025, which will rise to 28 in 2026 and 35 in 2027. This represents a landmark 60% increase in dental training places for Irish and EU students.