Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy may know, this is something my Department has been examining over a number of years and we have taken a number of steps to respond to the cost of Graduate Entry Medicine.

For example, the State subsidy to Higher Education Institutions towards the cost of provision for EU student places has increased. 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 and Budget 2024 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 to the value of €14,500.

In addition, we have introduced a new system where bursaries that are provided to the most socio-economically disadvantaged students under the National Access Plan can be retained throughout their GEM programme.

We have also worked 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 began with an additional 60 EU students in September 2022, climbing to 120 in September 2023, and up to 200 by 2026. The agreement included additional GEM places. This marks a significant expansion in the number of places available to students.

I want to reassure the Deputy that it is my priority to continue to try and make improvements for all students, including GEM students.