Vol. 526 No. 4
341 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Education and Science the advance which has been made in the commitment to give a percentage of places in the medical faculty to science graduates who wish to pursue a medical career. [26866/00]
346 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans he has to increase the number of college places for medical students in an effort to counter the large numbers in the profession who have indicated that they would not choose medicine as a career if given a second chance. [26998/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 341 and 346 together.
The possibility of introducing a preliminary third level course in life sciences as a prerequisite for entry into healthcare courses was considered in the final report of the Commission on the Points System. The report recommends that the key bodies and institutions involved in policy-making on healthcare training, for example, the Medical Council, the universities, the Higher Education Authority and the Department of Health and Children, should set up a committee to explore the matter further. In response to a request from my Department, the Higher Education Authority has sought a meeting with the major providers of healthcare courses through the conference of heads of Irish universities and the Royal College of Surgeons to explore how best to progress the consideration of the many complex issues involved.
The current intake to undergraduate medical courses is the subject of a quota, which was introduced in 1980-81 following a report of the Higher Education Authority. The final report of the Points Commission considers that there should be a regular review of places on courses with capped numbers. My Department, in consultation with the Department of Health and Children is considering the question of reviewing the current quota arrangements.
