Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
1381. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason universities that are providing courses in radiation therapy have not increased their student capacity (details supplied); if consideration will be given to increasing the student capacity for this course in the two colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28221/23]
View answer1382. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how second level students could be further incentivised to consider a career as a radiation therapist, given that in Ireland 54% of the population have attained a third level education, which demonstrates that the majority of the current second level students will consider attending third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28233/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1381 and 1382 together.
Officials from my Department are engaging with Higher Education Institutions to ascertain possible expansion on existing programmes from 2023, including in the area of radiation therapy. Any increase in student places requires corresponding placements in the health sector for students. Significant engagement is ongoing between my Department and the Department of Health to progress this issue.
Last year my Department established a working group to identify and address barriers to expansion in the health and social care professions, including radiation therapy. This working group has included representatives from the Department of Health, the HSE, CORU, the higher education sector as well as my Department. This group is looking at both incremental expansion from September 2023, and enabling more substantial expansion in the medium term.
The HSE is developing a Framework for Practice Placement Education. I understand that the Department of Health have also recently appointed a HSCP Officer to lead on enabling expansion in health and social care professions.
My Department does not promote any particular discipline to second level students, however I have visited many post primary schools to highlight the range of options and pathways available at third level. In the case of undergraduate radiation therapy, this course is oversubscribed with applications via the CAO.
