Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
1328. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he will make a decision on whether to allow graduate entry medical students to apply for the SUSI student grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43205/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEntry to medicine in Irish HEIs is provided through both undergraduate and graduate entry routes. Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) is one of the pathways to study medicine. Students pursuing graduate entry medicine (GEM) programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding or for student grants. However, in order to widen access to GEM programmes and give assistance towards the financial burden on each student pursuing these programmes, the fees of participating EU students are partly subsidised by the State via the Higher Education Authority (HEA). In the academic year 20/21 the state contribution was €11,524 per student with the balance of fees payable by the student.
There are significant policy, legislative and funding considerations, as well as wider implications, if the current treatment of graduate entry medicine was amended. These will be subject to consideration by my Department as part of the annual estimates process.
