Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2022
594. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of pharmacy entrants and graduates in each year since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9155/22]
View answer595. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has engaged with the Minister for Health in order to establish a target, optimum number of pharmacy places in order to meet the needs of society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9156/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 594 and 595 together.
The information requested by the Deputy on pharmacy entrants and graduates is in the table below.
|
Year |
1st Year Enrolments |
Graduates |
|
2010/2011 |
173 |
160 |
|
2011/2012 |
191 |
161 |
|
2012/2013 |
186 |
140 |
|
2013/2014 |
184 |
151 |
|
2014/2015 |
193 |
166 |
|
2015/2016 |
200 |
169 |
|
2016/2017 |
192 |
145 |
|
2017/2018 |
200 |
182 |
|
2018/2019 |
201 |
168 |
|
2019/2020 |
210 |
164 |
|
2020/2021 |
221 |
|
My Department is strongly committed to supporting the health of the population through the provision of graduates with the key competencies and skills to be effective in the health workforce, and support a range of clinical teams in our health services.
The Programme for Government commits the Department of Health to working with the education sectors, regulators, and professional bodies to improve the availability of health professionals and reform their training to support integrated care across the entire health service.
My officials are actively engaging with the Department of Health on determining the longer term skills needs of the healthcare services, and the role which the further and higher education sector can play in meeting those skills needs. I will ensure that there is continued engagement with all stakeholders to ensure that we deliver graduates with the skills necessary to support our healthcare system and support the strategic workforce planning by the health sector.
