Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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707. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the needs of Irish medical and dental students in Ukraine (details supplied); if a support process can be put in place to accommodate these students who will be affected by the crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13979/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I aware of this group  of Irish students, and a number of others, who were studying Medicine and Dentistry in Ukraine and whose studies have been disrupted as a result of the invasion.  I am working closely with the higher education sector to see what can be done to support them and facilitate the continuity of their studies.

My Department is in contact with a group of over 50 individual affected students with a view to establishing, in the first instance their safety, and also to seek certain baseline information regarding their studies.  I would urge any other Irish students who were in a similar position in Ukraine, but who have not yet been in contact, to make contact with my Department.  

A key element of this process will be to understand the alignment of the students’ programme with the Irish system of medical and dentistry education, along with other issues arising regarding accreditation by the professional bodies. In line with the overall Government position, my Department and agencies will work together to support students affected by the invasion.