The Medical Council will raise its concerns about a potential decline in socio-economic diversity within the graduate-entry medicine (GEM) student population at an upcoming meeting with the Irish Medical Schools Council, this newspaper has learned.
A Medical Council spokesperson told the Medical Independent (MI) the issue was also highlighted at the most recent meeting of the its education and training committee.
“The possible reduction in the socio-economic diversity within the student population in the GEM programmes throughout Ireland, due to the lack of funding, is a concern to the medical schools and the Medical Council,” said the spokesperson.
“Without accessibility to appropriate funding options, students from lower socio-economic groups may not be able to undertake or continue a GEM programme within an Irish medical school.”
The Medical Council’s 2023 annual report noted a reduction in the availability of graduate loans which “may lead to decreased socio-economic diversity within the student population”. It also referenced an increase in the number of medical students availing of student supports.
IMO NCHD Chair Dr Rachel McNamara told MI the new Government should re-examine GEM fees and ensure the provision of funding supports.
“The fees for graduate-entry medicine are among the highest Irish or EU fees for any course in the country,” she said
The last remaining GEM-specific loan option was closed to new applicants in July 2022.
Currently, EU fees for the four GEM programmes in Ireland range from approximately €15,000- €18,000 per annum. A fifth GEM programme is due to commence at University of Galway in 2026.
See news feature https://www.medicalindependent.ie/in-the-news/news-features/priced-out-of-irish-medicine/
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