Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Nov 1990

Vol. 402 No. 5

Written Answers. - Medical Graduates.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

164 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Health (a) the number of doctors who graduated from each of the medical schools in the State in the past three years; (b) the total estimated cost to the State of educating these doctors; (c) the number who have emigrated; and (d) the number who have secured employment in the Irish medical service.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) have furnished the following figures for graduates from each of the medical schools in the State over the past three years:

	1988	1989	1990
UCD	97	108	100
UCC	59	66	68
UCG	56	64	68
Trinity College	68	65	60
Royal College of Surgeons	127	140	138
Total	407	443	434

A recent study carried out for the HEA concerning the unit cost per graduate in the 1986-87 academic year indicated that the unit amount was £23,000-£30,000. There would not be any significant alteration in that figure for the current year. I wish to point out that this figure represents the cost to the education authorities and does not include any estimate of the cost of clinical training.

In so far as (c) and (d) are concerned this information is not readily available in my Department. I will write directly to the Deputy in this regard. As far as employment is concerned, the Deputy will be aware that the vast majority of medical graduates spend their first post-graduate year in intern posts in Irish hospitals.