James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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607. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way Irish students who were studying in the Ukraine can continue their studies in Ireland (details supplied); and the way in which they can apply to do this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23096/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department has received correspondence from the student detailed and my officials have already been in contact on the question of continuing to access education in Ireland. 

Once I was alerted to the situation regarding Irish citizens studying medicine in the Ukraine, officials from my Department met with the Deans of the Medical Schools in Ireland on a number of occasions.  As a result of these meetings, the Deans are undertaking an assessment of the programmes in the medical schools in Ukraine. The Deputy will understand that there are complexities involved with these area of study (medicine and dentistry) and work is ongoing to reconcile the different practices and approaches to medical education between the Irish and Ukrainian systems, including issues arising regarding accreditation by the professional bodies. This takes time but the exercise being undertaken by the Deans will enable us to see how best we can facilitate these students in continuing with their education in Ireland.

I am confident that the Deans of the Medical Schools in Ireland are treating this situation in a manner which respects the context of all those involved,  and I will await the outcome of this complex process before commenting further.

The Deputy will also note that, on 4th May, I launched a National Student and Researcher (NSR) Helpdesk, which serves as a single national point of contact for all those students, Irish and Ukrainian, who have fled the war in Ukraine and looking to access higher education here. This helpdesk will provide information and direct students to third level institutions, and researcher positions equipped to meet their educational needs.

This is a key instrument in the response by my Department and the higher education sector to the needs of displaced students and researchers and I am grateful to the National Steering Group, which is chaired by officials from my Department and key education stakeholders for guiding this work.

Those displaced from Ukraine will find assistance and further information in relation to commencing or continuing their studies in Ireland by contacting the National Student and Researcher (NSR) Helpdesk by email at NSRHelpdesk@mu.ie or call +353 (0)1 474 7788.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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608. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of a 10% increase in full-time undergraduate speech and language therapy students. [23103/22]

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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609. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of a 10% increase in full-time undergraduate occupational therapy students. [23104/22]

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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610. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of a 10% increase in full-time undergraduate psychology students. [23105/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 608, 609 and 610 together.

The costs incurred by a Higher Education Institution in increasing student places on a particular course can vary depending on a variety factors including the type of course and the individual circumstances of the relevant Higher Education Institution. It is therefore not possible to definitively calculate the costs sought.

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has provided the below estimates, based on 2020/21 full-time undergraduate enrolments (excluding Non-EU fee paying students) to provide the Deputy with an indication of the potential costs associated with increased places in the courses queried. The estimated cost of a 10% increase in full-time undergraduate students for courses below are -

- Speech and language therapy students is c.€350,000 - €370,000.

- Occupational therapy students is c.€390,000 - €410,000.

- Psychology students is c.€1,330,000 - €1,400,000. This includes all full-time Level 8 Honours Degree programmes where Psychology is included in the title of the programmes

Please note the above estimates exclude any additional costings which may be met by other agencies or departments.