Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the points made by the Senator. However, I do not wish to be pedantic but the Senator's question did not speak to costs specifically, rather it spoke to the current operation of the HPAT medical school entrance exam amid recent claims that students who attend a certain revision course had prior knowledge of several of the questions that appeared in the examination. I am happy to revisit the issue of cost and the admissions system.

I note the points made by the Senator about the grind school effect. This is endemic in Irish education and it should not exist at all if one wishes to have a completely equal system for all. It is one of the quirks of the Irish education system that there is a way of gaming the system, so to speak. I do not mean "gaming" in any kind of underhand way but there will always be a market for a grinds methodology. I agree with the Senator in that regard because this excludes many citizens who simply cannot afford grinds but who have more than adequate ability to become wonderful physicians. It is an aspect we need to address. I will raise the matter with the HEA.

With regard to Senator Burke's second point, I will undertake to provide a clarification for the Senator.