Malcolm Byrne
Question:148. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on improving access to graduate entry medicine programmes. [49861/26]
View answerThursday, 2 July 2026
Questions (148)
Written answers
I fully recognise the challenges faced by students seeking to access Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) programmes, particularly in relation to the cost of study, and the importance of ensuring that entry to medicine is based on ability and commitment rather than financial means.
The Programme for Government contains a clear commitment to introduce a tuition fee support scheme for Graduate Entry Medicine and to expand GEM provision, including programmes with a focus on rural and regional healthcare needs. This sits alongside a broader commitment to increase healthcare training places across medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy and the health and social care professions.
Significant progress has been made in expanding overall medical education capacity, within which GEM forms an important component. The number of new entrant EU/EEA medicine places has increased from 720 in 2021 to a planned 920 places by 2026, representing a 27% increase. Graduate Entry Medicine is included within this expansion, with additional places being delivered, including through investment under the Healthcare Education Activation Programme.
As the Deputy may be aware, GEM programmes are second-degree courses and therefore do not fall within the Free Fees Initiative, and students are not eligible for SUSI fee or maintenance supports. Tuition fees are set by individual higher education institutions, reflecting the high cost of programme delivery, including clinical training and placements, and my Department respects the autonomy of institutions in this regard.
I provide a substantial and increasing subsidy towards the cost of GEM places for eligible EU students. This funding, allocated through the Higher Education Authority, will reach over €16,900 per student per annum across all GEM places by 2026. Total fee support from my Department for GEM is now approximately €13 million annually. While this significant public investment has not translated into year-on-year reductions in fees, it reflects the underlying cost of delivering these intensive clinical programmes.
Students may also avail of a range of other supports, including the Student Assistance Fund, bursaries provided under the National Access Plan, and tax relief on tuition fees.
Work is actively underway, led by the Department of Health in collaboration with my Department, to progress the Programme for Government commitment to introduce a tuition fee support scheme for Graduate Entry Medicine. This is being considered alongside ongoing expansion of training capacity to ensure a balanced approach that improves both access and supply.
The combined approach of increasing places and examining additional financial supports is intended to ensure that Ireland can meet its future healthcare workforce needs, including in rural and underserved areas, while also improving access to medical education for a broader range of students.