Government considers next steps to increase number of healthcare and veterinary college places
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From: Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Department of Health
- Published on: 21 June 2023
- Last updated on: 25 July 2023
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue have today announced a number of options to expand third level places for healthcare and veterinary medicine.
The Higher Education Authority was tasked by the Department of Further and Higher Education to establish how additional capacity might be provided in healthcare and veterinary medicine.
The report has found, with investment, an additional 208 doctors, 692 nurses, 196 pharmacists, 63 dentists and 230 vets could potentially be trained annually.
These options could result in an increase of up to 5,000 in total third-level enrolments in these disciplines. This increase is subject to a forthcoming process which will now begin to cross-reference available options with the ongoing demand in the veterinary and health care areas and to agree costs and funding.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said:
“This is an important moment for the delivery of healthcare and veterinary medicine. Through a very inclusive and expansive process, the government has identified a significant increase in capacity across these key disciplines.
"My department will now work with the Departments of Health and Agriculture to bring these proposals forward. Each will be subjected to a process and investment will be subject to the normal procedures.
“However, this could lead to an unprecedented change in the number of graduates in these key skills areas in the coming years and will help the health and agriculture sector begin to address workforce shortage issues.”
Minister Donnelly said:
“I have set the ambitious target of doubling the number of student places across the full range of essential health professions to meet our health workforce and patient care needs.
“We cannot continue to rely on recruitment from around the world to meet the healthcare workforce needs of our growing and aging population. This planned student expansion is an important step in addressing the needs of our health service and achieving health workforce sustainability for Ireland.”
Minister McConalogue said:
“Veterinary practitioners play a unique and important role in Irish society extending beyond their critical role in agriculture, to providing their expertise to the benefit of the wider society in area of pet health, animal welfare, food safety, public health in the context of zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance and in certification to support international trade.
“In terms of delivering increased capacity in veterinary medicine, it is encouraging to see such a high level of interest from our HEI’s. I look forward to continued analysis of the options identified which will inform the number of places to move forward with and the locations selected for any potential new veterinary schools.
"My department will work with colleagues in the Departments of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Health and Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform with a view to agreeing an approach to be brought to Government for decision in the very near future.”
The government agreed to advance the process with investment to be considered in the context of Budgetary processes and the National Development Plan review. Individual projects will be subject to the usual appraisals to ensure value for money.