Third Level Fees
Seanad Éireann — 2024-01-30
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Alice-Mary Higgins (IND), National University of Ireland

The measures the Minister of State outlined are about engagement with the institutions but not providing support to the individuals.
The concern is that we are in a situation whereby the discussion is as if this education was a commodity rather than a pipeline for an essential public service. I have sat in committees where we talked about the lack of doctors and yet there does not seem to be a concern in relation to this. I would say that the bursary measure is the only measure that is targeted towards students and it is a woefully inadequate measure. Is there a recognition that this is a problem for the State in terms of not having sufficient numbers, which we have talked about briefly, but also not having sufficient diversity in those coming through our medical systems? I suggest that this is one area that is particularly different. The Minister of State, Deputy Collins, said that we do not give fees or grant assistance for a second degree. This, however, is an area where the State requires a second degree. This is a public need and is not solely around the individuals. There is a public need for more doctors and more diversity within the medical profession.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2024-01-30/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:52:35+00:00
Sitting date: 2024-01-30