Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2022
1218. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of a 10% increase in all medical or health related undergraduate courses for Irish/European Union students in tabular form; the number of places that this would create; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29087/22]
View answer1228. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing undergraduate medicine places by 10% based on the full economic costing; the number of places that this would create for medicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29304/22]
View answer1236. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing undergraduate medical science paramedicine places by 10%, based on the full economic costing; the number of places that this would create; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29316/22]
View answer1237. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing undergraduate medical science clinical nutrition places by 10%, based on the full economic costing; the number of places that this would create; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29317/22]
View answer1238. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing undergraduate medical science social workplaces by 10%, based on the full economic costing; the number of places that this would create; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29318/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1218, 1228 and 1236 to 1238, inclusive, together.
The costs incurred by a Higher Education Institution in increasing student places on a particular course can vary depending on a variety factors including the type of course and the individual circumstances of the relevant Higher Education Institution. It is therefore not possible to definitively calculate the costs sought.
Full Economic Costing (FEC) data is produced by the university sector. It is an activity based costing model that aims to capture the full economic costs of teaching, research and other activities. It is important to note that Full Economic Costing (FEC) considers cost per FTE student per Subject Price Group within current levels of delivery. While the data provided can be useful indication of potential costs for providers it should not be considered as the definitive costs that would be associated with any increased provision.
Notwithstanding the above, to provide an indication of the potential costs associated with increased places the Higher Education Authority (HEA) has provided the below estimates based on current funding levels:
- Based on 2020/21 full-time undergraduate enrolments (excluding Non-EU fee paying students), the estimated cost of a 10% increase in full-time undergraduate medical science social work students is c.€340,000 - €360,000. This includes all full-time Level 8 Honours Degree programmes where Social Work (or equivalent) is included in the title of the programmes. A 10% increase in enrolments would create c.34 additional social work student places.
- Based on 2020/21 full-time undergraduate enrolments (excluding Non-EU fee paying students), the estimated cost of a 10% increase in full-time undergraduate medical science clinical nutrition is c.€1,300,000 - €1,360,000. This includes all full-time degree programmes where nutrition and dietetics are included in the title of the programmes. A 10% increase in enrolments would create c.128 additional nutrition and dietetic student places.
- Based on 2020/21 full-time undergraduate enrolments (excluding Non-EU fee paying students), the estimated cost of a 10% increase in full-time undergraduate medical science paramedicine is c.€280,000 - €300,000. This includes all full-time undergraduate programmes where paramedic is included in the title of the programmes. A 10% increase in enrolments would create c.36 additional student places
- Based on 2020/21 full-time undergraduate enrolments (excluding Non-EU fee paying students) and including graduate entry, the estimated cost of a 10% increase in medical students is c.€9,700,000 - €10,400,000. A 10% increase would create c.347 additional undergraduate medicine student places
- Based on 2020/21 full-time undergraduate enrolments (excluding Non-EU fee paying students), the estimated cost of a 10% increase in all medical or health related undergraduate courses is c.€28,000,000 - €33,700,000. This includes all full-time undergraduate enrolments for all Health and Welfare programmes. A 10% increase in enrolments would create an additional c.2,800 undergraduate student places.
Please note the above estimates excludes any additional costings which may be met by other agencies or departments.
