Over a thousand extra college places are being created for healthcare courses.
The 28 point five million euro investment by Government will fund more than 1,100 additional places.
It includes extra places in nursing and midwifery, medicine, therapies, pharmacy, social care and other disciplines.
It’s aimed at easing pressure on high-demand courses and reducing the number of students travelling abroad to study.
They will be shared across colleges nationwide, and will be available to students applying to the CAO to start university in September.
The Department of Higher Education says the additional places will help secure the long term future of the health service.
Minister James Lawless says securing placements has been one of the main obstacles.
The Minister for Further and Higher Education visited Maynooth University’s new School of Nursing today to announce the Government’s plan to expand healthcare education capacity nationwide.
Speaking during the visit, he said: “Today’s announcement marks one of the largest expansions of healthcare training capacity the State has ever undertaken. Over the next three years, more than 1,100 additional healthcare course places will be created every year.
“These new places will help secure the long term resilience of our health workforce and significantly reduce our reliance on students travelling abroad to train.
“Here at Maynooth University, I am delighted to see the new School of Nursing already making a real impact.
"The programme delivered 30 places in its first year, with plans to grow to 100 places annually. Importantly, half of these places will be available through alternative pathways beyond the traditional CAO, widening access and supporting a more diverse student body.
“By expanding capacity in institutions nationwide, including right here in Maynooth, we are investing in the people and professions our health system depends on, ensuring we can meet the needs of a growing population in the years ahead.”
