Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I hope he is happy with my answers. I agree with the Deputy's point that we do not want people who want to access the medical profession to reach barriers and blocks that mean we cannot diversify the profession. I know, as a former Minister for Health, how important diversification in medicine is.

When we talk those most in need, as recently as last year we extended the 1916 bursary to general entry medicine students. For the first time, the most financially disadvantaged students can use the 1916 bursary for graduate entry medicine. That was an indication of how we wanted to make progress in diversification.

In defence of the institutions, if that is the right phrase, we have examined how to properly and sustainably fund medical education in Ireland. Everyone would think that the model had been too tilted in favour of international students rather than providing opportunities for Irish and EU students. That was probably because of financial holes in funding over many years in universities. We have seen a conversion of many international places and we are increasing the funding provided. As part of that, we are increasing the subsidy. I want to do more to help our graduate entry medicine students. I will meet them in the coming week. We will tease through some of the issues and see what practical steps we can take to help them.

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