Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 May 2022
168. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that his Department is taking to increase diversity within the medical profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25285/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEquity of Access to Further and Higher Education continues to be a priority for me and my Department. Inclusion is a key goal in my Department's Statement of Strategy. The Programme for Government also reflects the importance of supporting learners at risk of educational disadvantage and learners with special education needs in higher education.
Work on development of the new National Access Plan is almost complete. My Department and the HEA has led a public consultation process and has engaged with a wide range of stakeholders in the preparation of this Plan. The New Plan seeks to target underrepresented students, vulnerable students or students who have experienced disadvantage and therefore face challenges in accessing higher education and experiencing belonging in higher education. A Memo for Government will be brought to cabinet shortly and it is my intention to publish the new Plan in the coming months.
There are places reserved in each medicine course under the HEAR and DARE schemes. Both schemes are managed and operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) on behalf of the higher education institutions who are autonomous bodies. Admissions under the schemes are regulated by the higher education institutions themselves. Each institution determines its own admissions policy in relation to the schemes, the number of places they reserve and the allocation of those places.
As the Deputy may be aware, engagements have been ongoing between my officials, the medical schools and the Department of Health in relation to expanding the number of places available in Irish and EU students in medical education. Discussions around widening participation in medicine by priority groups under the new National Access Plan have formed part of these engagements.
I will continue to work to ensure that the higher education student body entering, participating in and completing higher education, at all levels and all programmes reflects the diversity and social mix of Ireland’s population.
