3680. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health her views on the development of additional entry pathways into the National Ambulance Service (details supplied); if consideration is being given to such an approach; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57381/26]

The Deputy may wish to be aware that on 8 July as part of major expansion in Public Service Apprenticeships, my colleagues the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Minister of State with responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills, launched a new Paramedicine Apprenticeship programme.

Developed by the National Ambulance Service (NAS) in partnership with its academic partner, University College Cork (UCC), the Paramedicine Apprenticeship programme is a 4 year Level 8 programme that has been developed in response to a growing workforce demand and combines paid employment with academic learning and clinical training. The programme will broaden access to the prehospital emergency care profession as well as support the continued expansion of Ireland's paramedic workforce, including in the NAS.

I am informed that an initial cohort of 32 apprentices, employed by the HSE and other ambulance providers, are scheduled to commence their apprenticeship in September.