Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the measures she will introduce to allow students from low income backgrounds avail of the increased number of places in view of her announced reform of medical education and training; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8467/06]

Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the cap on undergraduate medical places could be increased by 50 places immediately and the proposed funding for 40 new undergraduate places used for the displaced non-EU medical students when she makes the funding available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8343/06]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 113 together.

On 1 February 2006 the Tánaiste and I published the report of the Fottrell Working Group on Undergraduate Medical Education and Training. In addition, the Tánaiste published the report of the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Group. These reports represent the most significant review of medical education and training ever undertaken in Ireland and are aimed at responding to the needs of a changing health system and ensuring that medical education in Ireland is sufficiently resourced and developed to maintain our reputation for producing quality doctors into the future.

Specifically in relation to medical education, I am increasing the annual number of undergraduate places for Irish and EU students from 305 to 485. I am introducing a separate graduate entry stream which will provide 240 additional places per annum. These increases, which will be phased in over a five year period, will increase the annual number of medical places from 305 to 725. At undergraduate level an additional 70 places will be provided this autumn, with a further 40 places being provided in 2007 and a further 35 places in each of 2008 and 2009. The Higher Education Authority has begun consultations with the existing medical schools on the provision of the additional undergraduate places. This will be achieved by replacing existing non-EU places and making compensatory payments to the medical schools.

The provision of a graduate entry stream is an important development in reducing pressures on aspiring medical students who until now have effectively had one chance of entry, based on their leaving certificate performance. The high points pressures associated with this has had a negative knock-on impact on the senior cycle school experience for many of these. Graduate entry, which will be open to graduates of all disciplines, will allow students to make a decision to enter medicine at a more mature age and should result in a more diverse range of entrants into the profession.

The Higher Education Authority is establishing an expert group to develop a standardised test that, drawing on best international practice, will evaluate aptitude and suitability for entry to the graduate programme. This selection test will be in place for 2007.

In the interests of alleviating the enormous pressures of the high CAO points requirements, the Fottrell report recommended that leaving certificate results should no longer be the sole selection criterion for undergraduate entry. It proposes that all students with 450 leaving certificate points be considered for selection on the basis of a separate aptitude test. I am a keen supporter of the fairness and objectivity of the points system but I recognise that the pressures on students wishing to study medicine to achieve an almost perfect leaving certificate are excessive and unnecessary. For that reason, I am anxious to explore the detailed options around a dual selection process.

There is a need, however, to ensure that the revised system will adequately reward strong academic performance, provide an appropriate evaluation of aptitude and suitability for a career in medicine and retain public confidence in its objectivity and fairness.

The HEA expert group will be expected to bring forward more detailed proposals on the proposed new undergraduate selection system, devise an appropriate second selection test for use at undergraduate level and advise on the logistics of its administration. The expert group is to report to me by summer 2006 in order to allow a clear signal of any proposed changes to be given to the cohort of students entering the senior cycle in 2006. To allow adequate notice to students, the new entry procedures for undergraduate medical education will not be introduced any sooner than September 2008.

I have allocated an additional €4 million in 2006 to commence investment in curriculum improvements, clinical training and the provision of additional places this year.

In regard to the issue of student support, the Deputy will be aware that all students entering, through the traditional routes, the increased number of undergraduate places will be entitled to apply for funding for the existing student support schemes.