Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Apr 2000

Vol. 517 No. 3

Written Answers. - Medical Schools.

Bernard Allen

Question:

322 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make a statement on recent figures which show that demand for places in the five Irish medical schools has fallen dramatically this year from 1,874 to 1,621; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9980/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

From information supplied by the central applications office, the number of first preferences for medicine this year is currently 1,621 which can be compared to a final number of first preferences last year of 1,910. Even with the decline in the number of first preferences, the ratio of first preferences to places accepted will be 5:1, on the basis of 323 acceptances in 1999. As the Deputy will be aware, the demand for medical places results in the high points requirements attaching to such places.

The Commission on the Points System con sidered the issue of courses that require high points for entry. It accepted that in the case of some professional courses, especially those attracting high unit costs to the State, there is a need to ensure relativity between the number of students admitted to courses and the available employment opportunities.

In subjects where the number of places is capped, for example medicine, the commission recommended that there should be regular review involving open and transparent decision making processes. On the wider issue of healthcare courses generally, the commission recommended that the key bodies involved set up a committee to explore the possibility of a preliminary third level course in life sciences followed by further study in a particular healthcare discipline.

This report is currently being considered by my officials and planning for an implementation strategy is under way.