Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin Bay North, Labour)
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1050. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware that an increase in the State contribution towards graduate entry medicine from a rate of €11,950 per student in the 2021/2022 academic year to a new rate of €14,500 has not led to a decrease in cost to the students, and that, combined with the withdrawal of the only graduate loan programme for such students, it has resulted in students applying overseas; what measures he intends to take to increase access to graduate medicine entry in view of the shortage of doctors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39515/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In considering the matters raised it is important to note that the total level of fees charged to Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) students is a matter for the higher education institutions (HEIs), consistent with the principle of their institutional autonomy.

The State contribution under reference is a funding subsidy provided, via the HEA, to HEIs towards the cost of provision for EU student places. The tuition fees payable by the student are determined by the HEIs taking the availability of this cost of provision subsidy into account.

My Department has been working to address the cost of GEM provision by increasing the subsidy paid to higher education institutions for provision of EU places. Budget 2023 saw a significant increase in the amount the State pays for medicine places, including graduate entry. As part of this agreement:

• The state contribution for new GEM places was set at €14,500 for 2022/23.
• For existing places, it was agreed that the State contribution towards GEM places would be gradually increased. The subsidy has already increased from a rate of €11,950 in the 2021/22 academic year to €12,100 per student in the 2022/23 academic year and will progressively increase over the coming years to the new rate of €14,500.