Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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913.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he proposes to apply the scheme available to students attending university in Northern Ireland, whereby they contribute a rate equivalent to the student contribution applicable at higher education institutions in the State while his Department pays the remainder, to those students attending universities outside of the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25358/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The arrangement the Deputy refers to is with Queens University Belfast and has been designed to create additional capacity on the island to train doctors. It sees the creation of fifty medical places, twenty five commencing in September 2024 and a further 25 in September 2025. The expansion of medical provision in higher education is a key priority for my Department and the Department of Health.

Under this agreement students who opt to apply for one of these places will pay the same student contribution rate as their counterparts studying in medical schools in Ireland. They will also commit to taking up a position in the HSE as an intern on their successful completion of the programme. This scheme is only available to applicants who are deemed to be eligible for the Northern Ireland and Ireland domiciled fee rate for 2024/25 entry and this must be their first programme of study at third level.

My Department and the Department of Health are exploring further options for expanding provision of acute skills shortages in healthcare programmes on the island of Ireland. We will continue to engage with our counterparts in Northern Ireland to explore options for expansion on healthcare programmes.