Written answers

Wednesday, 9 March 2005

Department of Education and Science

Medical Education

9:00 pm

Photo of Liz McManusLiz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the proposals she has to ensure sufficient places are available in medical schools for Irish and EU citizens; the total number of such places and the overall number of places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4238/05]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Higher Education Authority introduced a quota of Irish and non-Irish entrants to first year medical programmes, with effect from the 1980-81 academic year. The agreed figures were 305 Irish and 28 non-Irish. Following a Government decision in 1987, it was agreed that the intake of foreign students — non-nationals of EU member states — in the university medical schools should be increased to maximum extent possible with effect from the 1987-88 academic year. The figures for the new entrants to the medical schools in Ireland for the 2003-04 academic year can be seen in the following table.

As the Deputy will be aware, my predecessor and the Minister for Health and Children established a working group on undergraduate medical education and training to review the organisation and delivery of medical training and education in Ireland. The group has presented interim recommendations for significant reform of the entry mechanism to medical education. The recommendations include the introduction of a multi-streamed model of entry to medicine, comprising undergraduate and graduate entry methods, with leaving certificate performance no longer the sole selection method for entry at undergraduate level. I anticipate that the full report of the working group on undergraduate medical education and training will become available by mid-2005. It is my intention to consider the broad range of recommendations that are expected in tandem with my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children. The question of increasing the numbers of medical places in line with projected health service requirements will be progressed in this context.

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