Joe Costello
Ceist:16 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science when a decision will be announced in relation to postgraduate medical education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10710/07]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 22 March 2007
Ceisteanna (20)
Freagraí scríofa
The results of the competition for post-graduate places in medical education were announced on Tuesday 20th March 2007. Following a competitive process managed by the Higher Education Authority, three bids were received by the closing date of 31st January 2007. The bidders were the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, an Irish Universities Medical Consortium (comprising the medical schools of UCD, Trinity College, NUIG and UCC), and the University of Limerick. Bids were sought for 240 annual Irish/ EU places, commencing with 60 places in 2007.
A panel of international experts assessed the bids and recommended that 30 places be awarded to the RCSI for 2007, growing to a steady-state enrolment of 40. It was also recommended that, subject to meeting certain conditions, the University of Limerick should be approved for an intake of 30 students in 2007, growing to an annual enrolment of up to 108. The universities which were part of the consortium bid should be invited to submit revised bids for the remaining 92 places. The HEA wrote to my Department on March 15th advising of the outcome of the competitive process.