Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As a former Minister for Health, I think diversity in terms of the backgrounds of our healthcare professionals, particularly our medical professionals, is a good thing and would assist in the delivery of health services as well.

What are we doing in relation to this? The first thing I said to the Deputy is we are already providing a direct subsidy of fees for graduate-entry medicine in a way that we are not for many other areas. The second area is that at present they cannot apply for SUSI. This is a big ask of theirs, as Deputy Conway-Walsh will be aware because she and I have been engaged on this. There is a review of SUSI that is due to be concluded over the summer months and finally concluded in the autumn. This is one area that can be looked at as part of that review. The third area is just to point out to any student that the student assistance fund is available for a student even if he or she is accessing a degree on the same level as already funded. That might provide some short-term assistance. I should also point out tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be available in respect of any fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Of course, detailed information is available from the Revenue Commissioners. I intend to pursue this further and look at it in the context of the Estimates discussions.

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