Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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788. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated cost of increasing the HEA contribution towards graduate entry medicine tuition fees by €5,000 and €10,000 per student, respectively based on the latest available student numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25552/23]

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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789. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the contribution currently made by the HEA towards graduate entry medicine per student; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25573/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 788 and 789 together.

In considering this matter it is important to note that the total level of fees charged to Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) students is a matter for the higher education institutions, consistent with the principle of their institutional autonomy.

The State provides support for broadening access to GEM programmes through the part-subsidy of places for EU students, with the fees payable by the student determined by the higher education institution, taking the availability of this subsidy into account.

My Department has been working to address the cost of GEM provision by increasing the subsidy paid to higher education institutions for provision of EU places. 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 GEM places is €14,500 for 2022/23.
• For existing places, the State contribution towards GEM places is gradually being increased. The subsidy has already increased from a rate of €11,950 in the 2021/22 academic year to €12,100 per student in the 2022/23 academic year and will progressively increase over the coming years to the new rate of €14,500.