08 August, 2006 - Minister Hanafin announces details of 70 extra medical education places for CAO applicants

375 places this year is the start of major reform and investment package which will double intake over next four years - Minister Hanafin

Minister for Education and Science Mary Hanafin T.D., today announced details of the 70 new undergraduate medical education places that are to be made available to CAO applicants this year. 

The additional places were announced by the Government earlier this year as part of its response to the recommendations of an expert Working Group on Undergraduate Medical Education and Training, chaired by Prof Patrick Fottrell.   The 70 additional places being provided in 2006 are part of initial steps in the implementation of planned Government reforms that will see the overall number of medical education places more than double over the next four years - from 305 to 725.  

The full package of reforms will also involve the introduction of a graduate entry programme from 2007, a new system of selection for entry to undergraduate medicine likely to begin in 2008 and major curriculum and clinical teaching improvements.   The full package of reforms is expected to cost in the order of €200 million.      

The additional medical places being provided in 2006 will be distributed among the State's five medical schools as follows -

Announcing details of the 70 additional places Minister Hanafin said "I know that the additional places being provided this year are very welcome to CAO applicants to medicine who are currently awaiting news of their results.  The overall reforms that we are now embarking on in medical education will be of huge benefit to aspiring students.  They now have the choice of seeking entry to an expanded number of undergraduate places or seeking later entry to the new graduate entry programmes that will be available from next year.  

We have seen over the last few years how the limited number of places available has created enormous competitive pressures for students who set their heart on a career in medicine.  As well as helping to relieve those pressures, these reforms will ensure that we can produce quality doctors in the numbers required for the health service of tomorrow" Minister Hanafin said.   

In order to accommodate the additional places for Irish and EU students in 2006, the five medical schools propose to reduce their intake of non-EU students this year.  A reduction of 54 places for non-EU students has been agreed.  Funding of €4 million has been provided by Minister Hanafin this year to meet the initial costs associated with this package of medical education reform.

ENDS