Bernard Allen
Question:174 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans regarding a crisis which is looming in general practice due to the drop off in the number of students opting to take medicine. [31370/01]
Written Answers. - Medical Manpower.
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Trinity College Dublin and the medical schools of the three constituent universities of the National University of Ireland at Dublin, Cork and Galway provide undergraduate medical training. I am advised by the Department of Education and Science that the number of places taken up by new students in these colleges during the period 1996 to the current academic year was as follows:
|
Academic Year |
Net Acceptances |
|
1996/1997 |
295 |
|
1997/1998 |
325 |
|
1998/1999 |
336 |
|
1999/2000 |
323 |
|
2000/2001 |
330 |
|
2001/2002 |
341 |
It is, therefore, inaccurate to suggest that there has been a drop off in the number of students opting to take medicine: the number of places has in fact grown by 15.6% since 1996-97.
In relation to our medical schools the annual intake to undergraduate medical programmes is the subject of a quota, which was introduced in 1980/81 following a report of the Higher Education Authority. The question of reviewing the quota arrangement is under consideration. In this context, as the Deputy is aware, the Government decided earlier this year to establish a national task force on medical manpower. One of the project groups, which will report to the steering group of the task force, will specifically deal with medical education and training. This project group will look at developing structures for medical education, training and flexible working arrangements in the most effective and efficient way possible, and will, inter alia, address the question of the appropriate number of places needed in future years to meet the medical workforce planning requirements identified by the task force.
As regards the number of students dropping out of courses, I am advised by the Department of Education and Science that the most recent research regarding completion rates for undergraduate university courses relates to the cohort of students who entered third level courses in the 1992/93 academic year. A study of non-completion in undergraduate university courses was undertaken by the Educational Research Centre, ERC, at the request of the Higher Education Authority and published earlier this year. The study found that non-completion rates for first time entrants to undergraduate university courses in medicine in the 1992/93 academic year was very low: 5.7%, as against an average for all courses of 16.8%, with drop-out rates in individual universities ranging from 1.9% to 9.1%.
On the basis of the information available, therefore, it would be premature to speak of a looming crisis in general practice. However, I will ask the national task force on medical manpower to consider the need for further research in this area and, should evidence emerge of an escalation in drop-out rates, to consider the implications and make appropriate recommendations.