asked the Minister for Education if he is aware that 15 pre-medical students who passed their examinations this year failed to be called to their first medical year in UCC because of alleged lack of accommodation; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - UCC Medical Students Accommodation.
72.
As is stated in the calendar for 1969-70 in the case of University College Cork the annual number of students to be accepted for entry to the first medical course in the College is limited to 60. The scheme for the allotment of the 60 places so available is also set out in the calendar. I understand that seventy-six students qualified at the pre-medical examination and that sixty were admitted to the first medical course in accordance with the regulations. Two of the remaining sixteen students were admitted to the dental faculty. The provision to be made in all the medical schools and the number of students to be admitted must take cognisance of our requirements in the matter of medical graduates. There could be no question of providing unlimited facilities.
In reply to a question last week the Minister stated that no Irish applicant had been deprived of accommodation in a medical school but here we have a case where 16 pre-medical students have not been able to gain access to the medical school in University College, Cork. The same situation exists in University College, Dublin, yet only ten per cent of the entrants to Irish medical schools come from abroad—that is the Minister's own figure—and over 40 per cent of Irish medical graduates actually come from abroad. I think the Minister should make a statement regarding this matter.
The Deputy is not correct in his statement. I was referring last week to whether or not Irish medical students were being refused admission to particular universities because of the admission of foreign students.
Here is a case where they have been.
No, in Cork there were only three people admitted, one was from the North of Ireland and the other two had close associations with Ireland. I mentioned these in my reply last week.
Does the Minister agree that Cork University provides places for Irish students?
Yes. We could not possibly classify the three people I mentioned as foreign students.