Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 June 2026
279. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 3471 of 14 April 2026, to provide assurance that students who cannot afford four years of GEM fees are safe to take up positions in GEM courses when offered in August, and do not have to decline out of uncertainty about Governmental intervention in time. [44324/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to removing barriers to participation in tertiary education, particularly in disciplines with acute skills shortages such as healthcare. I fully appreciate the significant financial pressures facing students and their families, particularly those who are considering a Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) programme.
I have tasked officials in my Department to examine a range of options to support students undertaking GEM programmes including reducing the financial burden, as agreed under the Programme for Government which includes a commitment to introduce supports for students studying Graduate Entry Medicine.
My officials are working closely with colleagues in the Department of Health to progress this commitment in a constructive and practical way, with a focus on affordability, sustainability and the long-term medical workforce needs of the State.
It is important to note that substantial State support is already provided for Graduate Entry Medicine. The Exchequer part-subsidises tuition fees for GEM places across all institutions, and recent Budget measures have significantly increased the value of this subsidy - rising from €11,950 per student in 2021/22 to €16,930 for graduate entrants in 2026, representing approximately €13 million in annual public funding. This significantly reduces the costs faced by students, with the remaining fee levels determined by higher education institutions.
In addition, GEM students may access a range of existing supports, including the Student Assistance Fund, National Access Plan bursaries, tax relief on fees and rent, the Fund for Students with Disabilities where eligible, and the continued availability of the 1916 Bursary for eligible students progressing to GEM.
I have asked my officials to examine a range of potential future support models, including financial and incentive-based approaches, such as State-backed loans, as part of cross-Government work. This includes considering how any further measures might support both affordability and the retention of graduates within the Irish public health system. No decisions have yet been taken, and any proposal would require careful consideration and budgetary approval.
