Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
689. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to increase the number of places for mature students who wish to study nursing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52624/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraHigher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006, and the Technological Universities Act 2018. As such, they are entitled to determine the number of places offered in a course under any particular entry route, including places for mature students and it is not within my remit to determine how many such places are offered.
My Department, the HEA and the higher education institutions are committed to supporting the provision of graduates for the health service through undergraduate and postgraduate provision. In this regard, my Department continues engaging with the Department of Health in relation to health workforce planning to ensure the effective delivery of skilled personnel into the future.
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 Department and I will continue to engage to ensure that we can continue to deliver graduates with the skills necessary to support our healthcare system and support the strategic workforce planning by the health sector.
