Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am surprised that no one else has contacted the Minister on the matter. In fairness, the Government is subsidising these medical students to go to Northern Ireland. The difference is that students from Northern Ireland who wish to attend university there have to pay up to £10,000 or £11,000 to do so.

My big concern is that a recent ESRI study showed Ireland will need at least another 2,600 doctors in hospitals by 2025. Many of the doctors training in the Republic of Ireland are going abroad. This issue is on our doorstep. I am disappointed at the current situation. The constituency offices of all Members are being visited by people whose doctors have retired or who cannot get an appointment.

At the moment they are depending on the HSE to get them a doctor. The situation is very simple. The HSE is not doing its work as far as I am concerned. The Minister is responsible for the payment of these fees. It is very important that he and the HSE sit down. These students want to come and train as doctors in the Republic of Ireland. I am sure there is a good reason they have to go to Northern Ireland to be trained. As I said, we are looking for doctors and these doctors are on our doorstep. This a very serious situation. As a former Minister for Health and current Minister for further education, Deputy Harris is the most suitable Minister to sort out this situation.

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