Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 May 2026
326. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost to extend the SUSI grant to graduate medicine students who already possess a level 8 QQI and subsequently enter a level 8 graduate entry medicine programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38089/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraGraduate Entry Medicine (GEM) is a pathway for degree holders who want to pursue a medical career on an accelerated four-year programme. Students pursuing GEM programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding. They are also not eligible for funding under the Student Grant Scheme as they do not meet the progression criteria of the Scheme.
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs, including the management of academic affairs. They retain the right to determine their own policies and procedures. The total level of fees to be charged in the case of GEM fees are therefore solely a matter for the relevant institution to determine in line with its own criteria.
The State currently provides a subsidy, via the Higher Education Authority, to HEIs towards the cost of GEM provision for EU student places. The subsidy provides support for broadening access to GEM programmes by assisting HEIs in providing the courses at lower fee rates for EU students than would otherwise be required for the HEIs to offer the courses on a sustainable basis. In this regard EU GEM students benefit under the arrangements as institutions determine the appropriate tuition fee taking the availability of the State subsidy into account.
It is a Programme for Government commitment to introduce a tuition fee support scheme for Graduate Entry Medicine. It is important to note, however, that any amendments or extension to the student grant scheme, has financial implications which are considered in the context of overall budgetary constraints and the substantial number of competing demands on available funding.
In September 2025, I published an Annual Options Paper which sets out measures to help reduce the cost of education for students and families across Further and Higher Education, Research and Apprenticeships. As part of the paper, an option on providing an increased universal contribution towards GEM fees was costed. It was estimated that this would cost between €4.81m - €15m for a full-year.
I will publish this year's Annual Options Paper in the Autumn, which will help inform decision making ahead of Budget 2027.
