Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 December 2004
27 Mr. Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has had discussions with the Department of Education and Science regarding a postgraduate medical school at the University of Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31821/04]
View answer40 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children whether it is preferable to have a postgraduate medical school at the University of Limerick rather than extend the places at the established medical schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31822/04]
View answer60 Mr. English asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans for a postgraduate medical school at the University of Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31820/04]
View answer77 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress which has been made on the medical school for the University of Limerick. [31819/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 40, 60 and 77 together.
The arrangements for the provision of third level primary medical education is a matter in the first instance for my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin. I have, however, noted a number of media reports regarding proposals by the University of Limerick to establish a graduate school of medicine, although I have not seen any submissions or proposals in this regard to date.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Ministers for Education and Science and Health and Children jointly established, in 2003, a working group to examine and make recommendations on a range of aspects of primary medical education and training in Ireland, such as course curriculum, teaching methods, interdisciplinary work and other issues relating to the organisation and delivery of undergraduate medical education and training. In this context, the working group was asked to consider and provide advice on issues arising from a Higher Education Authority, HEA, report which recommended a move to graduate entry for medicine and other health science disciplines.
The working group is chaired by Professor Pat Fottrell and is expected to complete its report in early 2005. Both the Minister for Education and Science and I will consider the group's recommendations when its report is published.
