Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1290. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if all Irish citizens that have returned from medical school in Ukraine as a result of the invasion have been informed of the pathway for them to continue their studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42152/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious of the impact of the war in the Ukraine on Irish citizens whose studies in medicine and dentistry were interrupted. I have tasked officials in my Department to work with the Deans of the Irish Medical School Colleges (IMSC) to develop a response, which would enable the students to continue with their studies.
Working with the Department, the IMSC has established an occasional student scheme to facilitate qualifying displaced students to attend lectures and practical training (small group interactive science, anatomy laboratory and clinical case-based / skills- based learning). This scheme will help to support the continuation of their learning in the short term. Applications are currently being reviewed by the Medical Schools in advance of the 2022/23 academic year.
Within the context of the occasional student scheme, the Department and Irish Medical Schools will continue efforts to establish formal engagements with Ukrainian Medical Schools, in order to support continuity in medical education for displaced students to the greatest extent possible. Crucially, this aspect of the response is dependent on engagement from the Ukrainian Medical Schools.
Officials in my Department have been working to establish contact with the Deans of the Medical Schools in the Ukraine, based on contact details provided by the Irish students. I also have recently met with the Ukrainian Ambassador, and have sought her assistance in this regard. My officials have also asked the recently returned Irish Ambassador in Kiev to help in this regard.
Once material from the Ukrainian Medical schools is available, this will enable my Department to bring this process to a conclusion.
It is important to note that officials from my Department have already met with representatives of the students, and I understand that a further meeting is planned shortly.
