Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2023
726. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being taken to prevent paramedicine students from not having sufficient work experience during their degree to meet the needs of their chosen career. [32220/23]
View answerMy Department is strongly committed to supporting the health of the population through the provision of graduates with the key competencies, experience and skills to be effective in the health workforce, and support a range of clinical teams in our health services
The National Ambulance Service (NAS) for the most part educates its own workforce through its own college. The National Ambulance Service has advised that a body of work is currently ongoing from a workforce planning perspective to ensure capacity for not only National Ambulance Service students but also University of Limerick Paramedic students.
Last year, the Government invested a record €200 million in the NAS. This represented an overall increase in funding of approximately €30 million on 2019 and there is another significant investment this year. In addition substantial funding has been allocated to increase the number of student paramedics training in the NAS college.
