Fair GEM Fees Ireland

Dear Minister of Education and Medical School Heads,

Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM), a 4 year run through medical degree, was originally developed in Ireland to increase the diversity of medical graduates as well as widening the pool of future medics available to Ireland’s health service. It is increasingly doing neither well. The high level of fees paid for GEM has always restricted entrants to the highest social classes in Irish society. 

Currently the fees range from €15,100 - €18,800 a year and must now be paid out of pocket by would-be doctors with the withdrawal of the Bank of Ireland professional loan from the market. This loan, for those with a high earning guarantor to vouch for them at least provided a slightly wider range of options for potential students. However, the loan packages now available to students require repayments to be commenced during their studies, with implications for their credit rating if payments are missed. Many are just deciding that medicine is not accessible to them because of their financial background. 

Even for those students with a stable financial background, the cost of living crisis, coupled with accommodation concerns, childcare and caring responsibilities, the fees are an additional obstacle. This perfect storm is putting GEM outside of the grasp for all but the wealthiest students. 

We were saddened to read that there was no relief to these exorbitant fees in the recent budget. We are watching helplessly as the working class, and increasingly, middle class would-be doctors are simply unable to raise the €60,000 needed to fund their studies. 

Please address this crisis and reduce or eliminate these fees for those with the potential but not the means. Ireland needs doctors. Our health service needs doctors. 

Most importantly, we need doctors from all sections of society so that the medical workforce reflects society and can deliver the care our population needs. 

Sincerely,
FairGEMFees