Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 2

Written Answers. - Cuban Medical Student.

Noel Ahern

Question:

120 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Education the reason a Cuban student with a one year university course in medicine successfully completed while in Cuba has been told since she arrived in Ireland that she must start again at fifth year secondary school in order to complete her leaving certificate and be accepted to university; and whether the leaving certificate equivalent in Cuba can be accepted here as evidence of suitability for university entry. [14849/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The universities reserve the right to select the students they admit to any course and I have no function in this area.

I understand that applications from overseas students are reviewed individually and that a decision is made on the basis of the equivalence of the applicant's qualification as determined by the college concerned.