John McGahon (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, 46 Irish citizens were studying in university in Ukraine, all of them studying medicine. Naturally, when the war broke out, they all came back to Ireland. One of the provisions introduced by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, quite rightly, was that, because there simply was not space for these 46 people to go straight into medical courses in this country at that time, they were told they could continue their studies online through university in Ukraine but they would be allowed to take part in the practical lessons in a university in Dublin. That way, they were getting the best parts of their education.

Of the 46 students, 43 are now being accommodated with practical lessons in a university in Dublin, and that is great, but there are three students who are not, and they are dentistry students. The other 43 students are all studying medicine and they are able to carry out the practical lessons. However, the university has told three students, two of whom are from County Louth, that it has no space for them at a practical level. That is despite the Minister, Deputy Harris, saying all 46 students or any students in Ukraine would be facilitated. That was the message from the Department, yet the university is going against that message and it is saying it does not have space. There are three dentistry students who are continuing their online studies via their Ukrainian university but who cannot complete their modules. They cannot do the necessary work unless they can carry out practical work as part of their course, which the other 43 students, who are Irish citizens in Ukraine, are able to do. I would greatly appreciate if we could have a wider debate about it or if we could write to the Minister to ask him to use his ministerial powers to ensure all universities are playing ball and are making sure all students are able to take part in the practical lessons, as was designated by the Minister himself.