Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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259. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the assistance that will be given to students who previously studied in Ukrainian universities to enable them to continue their studies at the appropriate university in Ireland; if his attention has been drawn to the case of a County Tipperary-based student who was studying dentistry in Ukraine (details supplied) and is now seeking to continue their education to become a dentist at an Irish university; the reason that this student has only been offered the opportunity to attend basic course modules and has never received an offer for a university place in Ireland, in order that they can complete the full complement of modules needed to finish their dentistry degree; the measures that are being taken to assist students who previously studied in Ukrainian universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54013/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Firstly, I am aware of the student in question and my officials have engaged with the student since their return to Ireland.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, I have been unwavering in my support to the Irish students whose studies were interrupted, and arrangements have been put in place to continue with their education.

As the deputy will be aware, dentistry education is highly regulated and complex in its delivery. Places on dentistry programmes are highly prized and it is not always possible to accommodate all those wishing to study dentistry. Due to this complexity and the Dentistry Schools' matriculation requirements, it was not feasible to directly transfer Irish students who had been studying in Ukraine on to Irish programmes.

My Department has worked with the Deans of the Dentistry Schools to develop an occasional student scheme which gives students access to modules and facilities in the Irish Dentistry Schools while they continue with their Ukrainian education online. This was the most practical solution to ensure continuity of these students’ education.