380. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the current situation where third level students on clinical placement in fields such as general nursing, mental health nursing, early childhood education, medicine and social care receive no payment during this period, despite having to pay in many instances for additional accommodation; if he will consider this situation in light of the contrary approach taken to those students completing apprenticeships who are paid on work placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43713/24]

Placements for health and social care programmes are arranged at the level of each individual Higher Education Institution as part of their programme offering, to be delivered in conjunction with relevant clinical placement providers. Early Years Education programme placements are provided by early years education settings.

Placement hours are a requirement of the regulator to meet the standards of professional capability necessary to practice in a regulated profession. In the case of health and social care professions the principal regulator is CORU, under the aegis of the Department of Health, which sets the standards of education and training required for the professions which fall within its remit.

Regarding any payments while on placement, this is a matter for the relevant employer, which would be, in the public sector the HSE, and in other cases, private providers.