Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In terms of Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) tuition fees, the total level of fees charged to GEM students is a matter for the higher education institutions (HEIs), consistent with the principle of their institutional autonomy. It is not open to my Department to intervene in the tuition fee policy of the institutions.

The Deputy may be aware that the State currently provides a subsidy to HEIs towards the cost of provision for EU student places. The tuition fees payable by the student are determined by the HEIs taking the availability of this subsidy into account.

In the academic year 21/22 the state contribution was €11,950 per student with the balance of fees payable by the student. Budget 2023 saw a significant increase in the amount the State pays for medicine places, including graduate entry. The state contribution towards graduate entry places will be increased in phases so that by 2026 all graduate entry places will be funded by the state at €14,500 with additional fees as determined by the university payable by the student.

My Department provides bursaries to students who have been identified by their higher education institution as being the most socio-economically disadvantaged students under the National Access Plan. Students who avail of certain bursaries will now be allowed to retain them, if they choose to enter GEM programmes. This is a welcome development and will also help diversify the profession.

On 12th July 2022 the Minister for Health and I 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 will begin with an additional 60 EU students in September 2022, climbing 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 us build our talent pipeline.

As you may be aware, I have recently published a cost of education options paper which sets out options for further enhancement of student supports for consideration as part of the budgetary process in the autumn.

The Deputy may also wish to be aware that students on GEM 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.

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.

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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110. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills what his plans are in relation to including graduate entry medicine within the free fees initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40588/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) is one of the pathways to study undergraduate medicine. Graduate entry courses require applicants to hold a level 8 qualification prior to entry and completion of a graduate entry medicine degree confers a further level 8 qualification.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Free Fees Initiative (FFI) provides tuition fee funding for eligible first time undergraduate students and therefore students pursuing second level 8 degree courses, including graduate entry programmes, are not eligible for the FFI.

The total level of fees charged to graduate entry students is a matter for the higher education institutions, consistent with the principle of their institutional autonomy.

Development of a scheme or the adjustment of exiting schemes to provide for graduate entry medicine tuition fees would require a specific engagement with providers to agree terms and conditions, including funding arrangements and student numbers. In this regard it is not possible to estimate potential costs associated with introducing a specific scheme or amending the FFI to provide for free tuition fees for all graduate entry medicine students.

The Deputy may be aware that the State currently provides supports for broadening access to Graduate Entry Medicine (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. In this regard, 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; and
• For existing places, the State contribution towards GEM places is gradually being increased from a rate of €11,950 in the 2021/22 to the new rate of €14,500 over the coming years.