From: Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Ireland
461 Additional Student Places to be Introduced Across Nine Priority Disciplines
The Government has approved a significant expansion of training places for Health and Social Care Professions (HSCPs), with up to 320 new places to be made available in 2025 and a further 141 in subsequent years. This marks a critical investment in meeting the increasing demands across health, disability, and education services.
The initiative stems from a joint proposal spearheaded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS), in collaboration with the Department of Health, the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, and the Department of Education, with support from the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The expansion will focus on nine key HSCP areas:
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational Therapy
- Speech and Language Therapy
- Radiation Therapy
- Radiography
- Podiatry
- Social Work
- Medical Science
- Dietetics
Following a recent Expression of Interest (EoI) process led by the HEA, eleven higher education institutions have been identified as having capacity to expand current programmes. These include:
- Atlantic Technological University
- Dublin City University
- Maynooth University
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
- Trinity College Dublin
- Technological University Dublin
- Technological University of the Shannon
- University College Cork
- University College Dublin
- University of Limerick
Ministerial Statements
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, welcomed the decision:
“This investment will enable the creation of 461 additional training places annually in critical health and social care disciplines, most commencing in 2025. These are now part of the permanent baseline in higher education.
It represents a vital step in supporting our health, disability, and education sectors, and in fulfilling our Programme for Government commitment to double capacity in high-demand healthcare courses.
This is only the beginning. We are already working on further expansion phases, including postgraduate, further education, and apprenticeship-style pathways. We are also exploring opportunities for cross-border collaboration with institutions in Northern Ireland.”
Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, emphasised the importance of workforce development:
“A skilled health and social care workforce is fundamental to improving access and adapting to demographic needs. I commend the work of the HSE and the National HSCP Office in addressing this demand and welcome the cross-departmental effort that made this possible. These professionals will be integral to the operation of our new HSE Health Regions, enhancing integration across the healthcare system.”
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley TD, highlighted the impact on disability services:
“This expansion is a critical first step in addressing the current and future needs of children and adults in disability services. By investing in clinical placement infrastructure within the HSE, we can increase placement availability in the disability sector and encourage graduates to consider meaningful careers in this field.”
Minister for Education, Helen McEntee TD, addressed the benefits for the education sector:
“An inclusive education system relies not only on teachers and SNAs, but also on educational psychologists and therapists. This expansion increases training capacity in these vital areas, helping ensure children with additional needs receive the support required to thrive in school environments.”
Implementation and Next Steps
The expansion will deliver 461 new training places by 2028, with 320 available from 2025, and an additional 83 in 2026. Targeted investment from DFHERIS, the Department of Health, and other partners will support the necessary clinical placements, staffing, and infrastructure.
Dr. Alan Wall, CEO of the HEA, welcomed the development:
“This announcement demonstrates what can be achieved through national collaboration. The HEA has worked closely with Government, the HSE, and higher education institutions to identify opportunities for rapid and sustainable growth. Institutions now have the green light to move forward.”
Government departments and the HEA are continuing to explore opportunities for further programme expansion, particularly in occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and educational psychology, where demand continues to grow and current providers are approaching full capacity.
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