Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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579. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps that he will take in relation to the fact that the only graduate-entry medicine specific loan has been removed by a bank (details supplied); if he has discussed the matter with the Minister for Finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50260/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The loans available for Graduate Entry Medicine students are private arrangements between the relevant lenders and the students applying for such loans. However, I do understand from both students who have written to me and engagement with the relevant higher education institutions that the availability of such loans has been important in supporting people, including mature students, to study medicine.

Entry to medicine in Irish HEIs is provided through both undergraduate and graduate entry routes. Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) is oneof the pathways to study medicine. Students pursuing graduate entry medicine (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). In academic year 21/22 the state contribution was €11,950 per student with the balance of fees payable by the student.

The Student Grant Scheme Review comments on the issue of Graduate Entry Medicine and states that a wider issues remains as to whether greater flexibility in the criteria for student grant scheme could be considered in areas of critical skills shortage reflecting graduate entry routes. There are significant policy, legislative and funding considerations, as well as wider implications, if the current treatment of graduate entry medicine was amended. However, all elements of the review will be subject to consideration by my Department through the annual estimates processes.

I have been actively considering the range of policy and funding tools we have available to increase the supply of domestic medical graduates, which has involved considerable engagement with the medical schools and the Department of Health. On the 12th July last, I, along with the Minister for Health, announced an agreement with the Irish medical schools to increase the number of places available for EU students by 200 over the next five years. The agreement reached with the medical schools has begun with an additional 60 EU students in September 2022, which will climb to 120 in September 2023, and up to 200 by 2026. This marks a significant expansion in the number of places available to students applying through the CAO system. It increases the opportunities for students to progress to study medicine in Ireland and to help build our talent pipeline. Budget 2023 saw a significant increase in the amount the State pays for medicine places, including graduate entry. As part of this agreement, the state contribution for new places will increase to €14,500. For existing places, an increase in the state contribution to this level will be phased in.

The National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education (NAP) identifies target groups that are currently under-represented in higher education. These include entrants from socio-economic groups that have low participation in higher education who would not have considered attending higher education without such supports.The Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Fund is the funding mechanise established to implement the National Access Plan (NAP).There are three strands to the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH).Strand 2 provides bursaries (1916 Bursary) to students who have been identified by their higher education institution as being the most socio-economically disadvantaged students in the target groups under the National Access Plan. I have recently changed the rules so that students who hold a 1916 Bursary may continue their bursary if they wish to participate in Graduate Entry Medicine.

Students on graduate entry medicine courses may also be eligible to apply to the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) 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. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.

In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, revenue.ie.