asked the Minister for Education the number of places available in medical schools in Dublin; the number of students filling these places who were born outside of the 26 Counties; and the number of Irish born applicants who had the required educational standards and who were unable to obtain a place in a medical school in Dublin.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Medical Schools.
25.
Of a total of 325 students admitted to the first year of the medical courses in the three medical schools in Dublin, 123 were born outside the 26 Counties.
As regards the last part of the Deputy's question, I would refer him to my reply to a question from him on 4th November, 1969.
If I heard the figures right, 325 and 123, is the Minister aware that 33 per cent of the students admitted to medical schools in Dublin have come from outside the 26 Counties? Is the Minister aware that many students born in the 26 Counties, with the required qualifications necessary to gain admission to medical schools in Dublin, have in fact been refused admission? Is the Minister aware from what he has stated earlier that 62,000 students are at present sitting examinations from which they hope to go on to higher centres of learning——
The Deputy is making a speech. Question No. 26.
I explained to the Deputy in November last that most of the students from abroad are in the Royal College of Surgeons which gets only a very small subsidy from us. Most of those born outside the 26 Counties who are going to TCD and UCD are from the Six Counties which is part of Ireland and they are fully entitled to be in our colleges here.
Can the Minister inform me what justification his Department have for subsidising over 100 Norwegian students in the Royal College of Surgeons?
I have already said that the subsidy in this case is exceptionally small.
Question No. 26.
Would it not be better if the Minister——
The Deputy should allow Question to continue.
——increased the subsidy——
Deputy Dr. Byrne should not monopolise Question Time. We have 123 questions on the Order Paper. Will the Deputy please resume his seat? There are other Deputies in this House too.
(Interruptions.)