The Netherlands is expected to have a shortage of 266,000 care workers by 2035, according to new figures presented to MPs by health minister Fleur Agema.

The biggest shortfalls will be in care homes and nursing homes, with basic care workers and social service officials representing the biggest gaps.

The number is 10,000 up on last year’s estimate because sick leave levels have not fallen as expected, Agema said.

Last year, the care sector was short some of 44,000 professionals. Agema, who said staff shortages are her “biggest priority”, said she wants to lower the administrative burden on workers by using AI and innovative medical tools.

Working in care and training also need to be made more attractive to prospective professionals, she said.

However, earlier this week, Agema was confronted with an unexpected extra cutback of €315 million to compensate for the cabinet’s budget u-turn on education, which she said will also affect funding for care workers’ training.

“I am very worried about that. It came as a complete and unpleasant surprise,” she said.

The move, approved by MPs, has also scuppered Agema’s negotiations about the future of care in the Netherlands outlined in a wide-ranging health accord with the public and private sector.

On Monday, the organisations representing teaching hospitals, independent clinics, medical specialists and nurses withdrew from the negotiations over the cutbacks, stating they would only make the situation worse and cause even greater staff shortages.

The parties have called on the senate to “think again” and talk to Agema before giving the final green light to the budget cut.