Little change in points as places in medicine to double

THE number of places for Irish students who want to become doctors looks set to more than double when the Government decides on future medical education policy in the next few weeks.

However, Education Minister Mary Hanafin has hinted that such a move may not have any major impact on the Leaving Certificate points needed for entry to medicine courses.

Ms Hanafin and Health Minister Mary Harney brought their findings on an expert group report on the issue to the Cabinet health sub-committee this week.