Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree that a similar type of bursary scheme would make an excellent contribution. It could be made as large as possible. As someone who has been down this pathway, I can totally identify with the pressures these students are under.

I like what the Minister said about the Bank of Ireland loan. I finished paying off my Bank of Ireland student loan only three months ago.

Many people will be watching these proceedings from home. If the round zero offers come out in a couple of weeks' time, the people starting graduate medicine in September can still - in theory, at least - apply for the loan before 31 July. Is that the Minister's understanding? If that is the case, that will certainly make things much better. They could apply, get on the pathway and then take it from there. If the Minister could clarify that, it would be very useful.

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