Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2022
802. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason for the omission of graduate-entry medicine students from lowered contribution fees for higher education students announced in budget 2023, during a time of a shortage of doctors and medical staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54151/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra832. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure students in graduate-entry medicine courses are included in the one-off €1,000 fee reduction. [55654/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 802 and 832 together.
As part of Budget 2023, in recognition of the cost of living financial challenges facing full time third level students funded through my Department, I have secured a significant cost of living package for third level students, including a once-off €1,000 state financial support towards the undergraduate student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for my Department’s free fees schemes. The once off reduction of €1,000 relates specifically to the student contribution payable by students eligible for free tuition fees under my Department's free fees schemes in academic year 22/23 and will reduce the student contribution payable from €3,000 to €2,000 in 22/23. In this regard, all full time undergraduate students eligible for free fees and paying the student contribution will benefit from this measure.
Students pursuing Graduate Entry Medicine programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding or for student grants.
However, the State does provide support directly to higher education institutions for Graduate Entry Medicine programmes in order to widen access and assist the students pursuing these programmes. The balance of fees is payable by the student.
In July 2022, Government approved a proposal from my Department and the Department of Health to increase the number of medicine places per annum by 200 by 2026, and move the funding of medicine places to a more sustainable basis. This has included an increase of 60 in 2022/2023. 55 of these places are on direct entry programmes, and five are Graduate Entry Medicine.
For new Graduate Entry Medicine places, the State contribution will increase to €14,500 (from the current level of €11,950). For existing places, an increase in the State contribution will be phased in to this level.
It is important to note that this measure is designed to strengthen the sustainability of funding of Graduate Entry Medicine places and to increase the number of places on offer to Irish/EU students. The total level of fees charged to Graduate Entry Medicine students remains a matter for the higher education institutions, consistent with the principle of their institutional autonomy.
I am conscious that not all students are eligible for free fees or student grants and so, as part of the cost-of-living measures, I have allocated a further €8 million of funding for the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) for the current academic year. This Fund provides financial support to students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college and can provide assistance towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. It is open to both full and part-time registered students on courses of not less than one year's duration leading to an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification. Applications can be made under the SAF through the Access Office in a student’s third level institution.
