Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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1031. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he plans to introduce to support those wishing to pursue graduate entry medicine, a path that remains highly inaccessible for very many people, in light of widespread and well-documented shortages of GPs; whether he will consider a return of service bursary, similar to the Scottish model, for those willing to work in rural areas after their training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39482/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) is a pathway for degree holders who want to pursue a medical career on an accelerated four-year programme. Students pursuing GEM programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding. They are also not eligible for funding under the Student Grant Scheme as they do not meet the progression criteria of the Scheme.

The State currently provides a subsidy, via the Higher Education Authority, to HEIs towards the cost of GEM provision for EU student places. The subsidy provides support for broadening access to GEM programmes by assisting HEIs in providing the courses at lower fee rates for EU students than would otherwise be required for the HEIs to offer the courses on a sustainable basis.

In terms of student supports, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science provides bursaries to students who have been identified by their higher education institution as being the most socioeconomically disadvantaged students under the National Access Plan. Students who avail of these 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.

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 be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. A rent tax credit may also be available. More information is available on www.revenue.ie .

My Department will publish an Options Paper in the Autumn which will set out measures to help reduce the cost of education for students and families across Further and Higher Education, Research and Apprenticeships for consideration as part of the budgetary process. The options assessment is intended to identify costs and potential impacts by the Department and is published without prejudice to eventual Government decisions.

The contractual agreement, as described by the Deputy, for medicine students to take up employment in a rural area after graduation from their medical training, would need to be made with the employer, in this case the Department of Health and its agency the HSE.

I will continue to work with my colleague, the Minister for Health, and our agencies to increase training provision and to provide the skilled graduates to support and enhance our healthcare sector.