The number of people taking pharmacy annually at Trinity College Dublin is set to increase from 70 to 120 in an attempt to lower the points needed to enter the course and to address shortages in the sector.
The decision by the Minister for Education, Dr Woods, to increase the intake may ease the points required in the future, but the overall numbers applying for pharmacy mean any falls are likely to be small. It currently has one of the highest points requirements at third level.
The Leaving Cert results will be published next week and offers from the Central Applications Office will follow. Dr Woods said the points required for the single course at Trinity was a reflection of "the shortage of pharmacy places in our higher education system".
The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland could not be reached last night for comment. However, in May it warned of the dangers of increasing the number of graduates in the sector. It said a previous oversupply had proved disastrous for the profession. The society's president, Mr John Bourke, said evidence that at least 50 new pharmacists were needed had not been conclusive.
A report from the former secretary general of the Department of Public Enterprise, Mr John Loughrey, recommended increasing the supply. An earlier report by economic consultant Dr Peter Bacon also called for the supply to be increased.