Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if the new graduate medical programme at the University of Limerick, leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, entitles a graduate to automatic registration as a registered medical practitioner under the Medical Practitioners Act (details supplied) in the same way as those with such degrees from the NUI and the University of Dublin have an automatic entitlement; if not, if there are proposals for the Medical Council to extend such recognition to the course at Limerick University; if the university or the students currently enrolled are aware of the present situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2826/08]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The registration of medical practitioners is a matter for the Medical Council in accordance with the relevant legislative provisions which fall under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Health and Children.

It is my understanding that the graduate entry programme at the University of Limerick is accredited by the Medical Council and that this accreditation is provisional as it is the Council's policy that full accreditation is not given to any programme until a cohort of students have completed the programme. I understand that the Medical Council will be monitoring the University of Limerick's programme as it rolls out and obtaining the views of students is a key part of this review process. I believe that the University of Limerick is fully aware of the accreditation situation.