As the Deputy may be aware Graduate Entry Medicine students are liable for the cost of their tuition fees, which are set by each individual institution. However the costs for EU students are partly subsidised by the Irish State through a state grant provided by the Higher Education Authority. For the 2012/13 academic year this amounts to €10,000 per student.
A number of financial institutions offer student loan packages that can be availed of by students which can offer more competitive rates in select disciplines such as medicine. However such arrangements are a matter for individual students and the financial institution concerned and my Department has no role in relation to the matter.