Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:126 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals to change the system of entry to medical schools in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19435/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 30 June 2004
Ceisteanna (66)
Freagraí scríofa
On 24 September 2003, together with my colleague the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, I announced details of the membership and terms of reference for a working group on undergraduate medical education and training which has been jointly established to make recommendations on the organisation and delivery of high-quality training for doctors in Ireland.
The membership of the working group draws on a broad representation from medicine, academia, university, hospital and health board management and Government Department officials. The working group will examine and make recommendations on a range of aspects of medical education and training in Ireland. This will include the areas of course curriculum, teaching methods, interdisciplinary working and other issues relating to the organisation and delivery of undergraduate medical education and training.
The working group has been asked to consider and provide advice on issues arising from the recent Higher Education Authority, HEA, report that recommended a move to all-graduate entry for medicine and other health science disciplines. The report was commissioned by the HEA, at my request, on foot of a commitment in the programme for Government to address the issue of the distortionary impact of these high points courses on the points system. The report recommends that students should undertake an undergraduate programme of their choice in any area before taking a decision to enter medicine or one of the other health science disciplines. The other programmes in question are physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy and radiography, all of which currently require extremely high points for entry.
The initial consideration by the recently established working group of the detailed implementation issues that arise for medical education will also inform my approach to the proposed later introduction of changes for the other health disciplines. I expect to receive the recommendations of the working group later this year.