Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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180. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to reports that a bank (details supplied) has ceased its loan arrangements with medical students. [5242/23]

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. 

My Department has no plans to directly introduce a loan scheme for students of Graduate Entry Medicine.  However, the Deputy may wish to be aware that the State already provides support for broadening access to Graduate Entry Medicine programmes through the part-subsidy of fees for EU students.  This subsidy is paid to the higher education institutions via the Higher Education Authority.   

The ‘Funding the Future’ funding and policy reform framework for higher education agreed by Government last May envisages a mixed funding model for higher education, comprising funding streams from the Exchequer, employer contributions and student contributions.

Within the framework of ‘Funding the Future’, my Department has been working to address the cost of provision of Graduate Entry Medicine by increasing the subsidy paid to higher education institutions.  It has been agreed that the State contribution towards Graduate Entry Medicine places will gradually be increased over a multi-annual period from a rate of €11,950 per student in the 2021/22 academic year to a new rate of €14,500.  The balance of fees, as determined by the institution attended, will remain payable by the student.

The Deputy may also wish to be aware that students on Graduate Entry Medicine programmes may be eligible to apply to the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) for financial support.  This Fund provides financial support to full and part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college and can provide assistance towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. Applications can be made to this Fund through the Access Office in a student’s higher education institution. I have recently announced an additional €4.3 million to be allocated to SAF to assist students with the cost of living. This was in addition to the €8m that was allocated in Budget 2023. This brings the total allocation for the Student Assistance Fund for the 22/23 academic year to over €20 million, which is the highest amount that has ever been provided under this fund. The HEA will distribute funding of over €4.3m to the HEIs in early 2023.

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, www.revenue.ie.