Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2026
895. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding the planned graduate entry medicine loan scheme or other schemes of financial support for such students. [68228/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to introducing tuition fee supports for Graduate Entry Medicine and expanding graduate entry programmes, particularly those supporting rural and regional healthcare provision.
Graduate Entry Medicine forms part of the Government's broader commitment to increase the number of healthcare training places across medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy and health and social care professions. My Department has made significant progress in expanding medical education capacity, with the number of new entrant EU/EEA medicine places increasing from 720 in 2021 to 840 in 2023 and due to reach 920 by 2026.
Graduate Entry Medicine programmes are second-degree courses and, as such, students are not eligible for support under the Free Fees Initiative or for SUSI fee grants. Tuition fees are determined by individual higher education institutions and reflect the significant costs associated with programme delivery, including clinical training, placements, staffing and specialist facilities. In the context of finite public resources, the Government has prioritised the Free Fees Initiative in supporting students undertaking a first higher education qualification.
However, the State continues to provide substantial support towards the delivery of EU Graduate Entry Medicine places through funding allocated by the Higher Education Authority. This contribution has increased significantly in recent years and, by 2026, will amount to €16,900 per student per annum across all GEM places. Total annual Exchequer investment in Graduate Entry Medicine is now approximately €13 million. Students may also avail of a range of supports, including the Student Assistance Fund, bursaries available under the National Access Plan and tax relief on eligible tuition fees.
The Government remains committed to improving affordability for Graduate Entry Medicine students while continuing to expand medical training capacity. In relation to additional financial supports, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce a support scheme for Graduate Entry Medicine students. This work is being progressed by the Department of Health in collaboration with my Department and other relevant stakeholders. A bank loan scheme is among the options being considered by my Department. To advance this, I met recently with the Tánaiste / Minister for Finance, Simon Harris as a state backed loan as is being considered would lie within his area of responsibility to advance. Follow up meetings are currently being arranged by officials in my Department with stakeholders in the financial services industry.
Any proposals brought forward will require consideration in the context of an annual Estimates process and broader Government expenditure priorities, as well as the overall resources available to Government.
