4223. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the first phase of the expansion of higher education capacity in health and social care professions, the location of additional student places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58963/26]

I am pleased to confirm that Government has approved the first phase of a significant expansion of higher education capacity in Health and Social Care Professions (HSCPs). This initiative has been developed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the Department of Health, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, and the Department of Education and Youth as part of the 2026 Higher Education Capacity Building Process.

The Phase 1 package will provide for approximately 274 additional annual student places at full rollout, including 76 additional entrants from the 2026/27 academic year. These places will be delivered across 12 priority Health and Social Care Professions programmes and across a range of institutions.

In addition, Government has approved the establishment of a new Doctorate in Educational Psychology at Dublin City University. This programme will support the continued development in the area of Education Psychology and enhance access to supports for children and young people.

The expansion is designed to increase the domestic supply of qualified professionals in key areas where workforce shortages have been identified. These include occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, clinical psychology, counselling psychology, dietetics, audiology, radiography, podiatry, social work, social care and medical science. These professions are integral to the delivery of disability services, primary and community care, education supports and wider health services.

The approved programmes were identified through a comprehensive cross-Government prioritisation process involving the relevant Departments, the HEA, the Health Service Executive (HSE), CORU, the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) and other key stakeholders. Funding has been targeted towards programmes that demonstrate clear workforce need, institutional readiness, capacity to secure appropriate student placements and the ability to commence delivery in the 2026/27 and 2027/28 academic years.