Vol. 546 No. 3
407 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will make a statement on a recent article in a publication (details supplied) that medical schools are so short of funding that they cannot afford to increase the number of Irish students being admitted which, as a result, could leave this country facing a shortage of doctors. [31694/01]
The annual intake of Irish and other EU students to our medical schools is the subject of a quota, which was introduced in 1980/81 following a report of the higher education authority. There is no quota of places set aside for non-EU students in our medical schools and the level of non-EU places does not impact in any manner on the intake of Irish/EU students to undergraduate medical courses.
The question of reviewing the Irish/EU quota arrangement is under consideration. In this context, as the Deputy may be aware, the Government approved the establishment of a national task force to assess the implications of the medical manpower report. One of the project groups, which will report to the steering group of the task force, will specifically deal with medical education and training.
I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to liaise with my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, to ensure adequate provision for medical training.
