Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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252. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce a return of service arrangement for those studying graduate entry medicine allowing for a waiving of student fees in return for working in the HSE for a set period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4714/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I appreciates the contribution that both direct entry and graduate entry medical graduates make to the Irish health system, and hope that all graduates of Irish medical schools will find rewarding careers in the Irish health system, as it develops in the future years ahead.

I have no plans at present to introduce a return of service arrangement for those studying graduate entry medicine. However, the Deputy may wish to note that the Programme for Government Our Shared Futurecommits to the Department of Health working with the education sectors, regulators, and professional bodies, to improve the availability of health professionals and to reform their training, in order to support integrated care across the entire health service.

It is in this context that issues such as return of service arrangements will be considered, taking account of the availability of health professionals and future health workforce planning needs.