Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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676. To ask the Minister for Health if his consultation with the HSE has considered the introduction of bursaries to support graduate entry medicine students which could require a contribution of clinical years upon completion of studies similar to the bursaries available from the NHS in the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16911/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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In my time as Minister for Health I have not had any consultation with HSE regarding the introduction of bursaries to support graduate entry medicine students.

In the past representations have been made to my Department that were forwarded to the Minister for Finance with a positive recommendation, seeking tax relief on the costs/college fees incurred by graduate entry medical students. The level of costs incurred by graduate entry students has also been highlighted in consultations with the NCHDs who have qualified through this route. Unfortunately the Minister for Finance was not in a position at the time to accede to the proposal. Given the manner in which NCHDs undertake their training and often further training abroad post qualification, the proposal that bursaries would be given in return for future clinical years would be challenging to implement.

In Ireland, the development of a National Strategic Framework for Health and Social Care Workforce Planningin 2017 marked an important milestone in developing a more robust and systematic workforce planning approach. A range of policies and programmes are being implemented to support the recruitment, retention and development of key parts of the health workforce, including for example the Strategic Review of Medical Training and Career Structures (MacCraith Report) and the draft Policy on Graduate, Specialist and Advanced Nursing and Midwifery Practice.

The HSE People Strategy 2015–2018 has also delivered a comprehensive suite of initiatives designed to engage, develop and support the workforce to deliver the best possible care and services to people who depend on them.

The new Programme for Government Our Shared Futurecommits to establishing a Workforce Planning Expert Unit to work with the education sectors, regulators, and professional bodies to improve the availability of health professionals and reform their training to support integrated care across the entire health service. This unit is currently being established within my Department and issues pertaining to graduate entry medical students will be considered as part of this cross departmental collaborative process.