Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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368. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of expanding SUSI supports to cover graduate medicine at entry level if a minimum of 35% and maximum of 45% of all graduate medicine students (details supplied) were eligible for some level of support; the range of supports available, from the lowest to the highest level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25507/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Students pursuing GEM programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding or for student grants. However, in order to widen access to GEM programmes, and give assistance towards the financial burden on each student pursuing these programmes, the fees of participating EU students are partly subsidised by the State via the Higher Education Authority (HEA).

Institutions participating in the graduate medical programme have been requested to provide accompanying services and supports to facilitate the participation of disadvantaged students in the programme. Details of these services and supports are available from the relevant institution.

As the course that the Deputy refers to is not eligible for support from SUSI, we do not hold information regarding enrolments. However, from figures received from the Higher Education Authority, a total of 1632 students enrolled in graduate entry to medicine in the academic year 2019/20.

If a minimum of 35% of this cohort qualified for support at the average rate of grant for 2019/20 of €4770, then the estimated annual cost would be in the region of €2.7m.

If a minimum of 45% of this cohort qualified or support at the average rate of grant for 2019/20 of €4,770, the estimated annual cost would be in the region of €3.5m

It is not possible to estimate the fee costs which would accrue, as Universities are autonomous bodies and the amount of fees charges is a matter for individual third level institutions

I attach the full rate of maintenance grants for 2020/21 for your information.

Students on graduate entry medicine courses may be eligible to apply to the Student Assistance Fund for financial support. The SAF guidelines provide that students with a previous higher education qualification at the same NFQ level, or who, in the past, attended higher education without ultimately obtaining a qualification, may be considered for support on a case-by-case basis and subject to available funding.