Vol. 549 No. 3
229 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has been in contact with the Medical Council regarding the standards in Irish medical schools; and if he has received the report being undertaken by the council. [6515/02]
My Department meets with the Medical Council on a regular basis to discuss, inter alia, matters relating to education, training and regulation of the medical profession. The Medical Practitioners Act, 1978, provides for the Medical Council to satisfy itself as to the standards of theoretical and practical knowledge required for primary medical qualifications. The Medical Council has undertaken a programme of visits to the five medical schools in the country on a yearly basis since 1996. The Medical Council has informed me that it is finalising a report on each medical school, which will be sent directly to each school. The Medical Council has also informed me that it will shortly be publishing a report on undergraduate medical education and training in Ireland.
