Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 55: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if and when she will make a decision on a proposal to establish a postgraduate medical school in University College Dublin and on a similar proposal from the University of Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27671/05]

Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 106: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if she will lift the cap on undergraduate places in medical schools available to students here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27670/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 106 together.

As the Deputy may be aware, a Working Group on Undergraduate Medical Education and Training recently completed a review of the organisation and delivery of medical training and education in Ireland. I am currently considering the broad range of recommendations made by the working group, in consultation with my colleague, the Tanáiste and Minister for Health and Children. We will be bringing proposals to Government in the near future on a wide-range of issues associated with the delivery of medical education in Ireland, including the so-called "cap" on undergraduate education.

The development of a graduate entry stream to medical education is also being considered in this context. The proposals from University College Dublin and the University of Limerick will be considered in the context of the overall response to the report of the working group.